As patients age, the cartilage in their hips may deteriorate and develop arthritis.  Total hip replacement is arguably the most successful surgery in medicine and is performed to reduce pain and improve function in patients with this debilitating disease. If you have hip arthritis, there are both surgical and non-surgical options for treatment. Dr Beicker can evaluate you and discuss all of your options so that you can make an informed decision as to what is the best treatment available for you.  Dr Beicker uses a muscle-sparing approach (direct-anterior approach) to total hip replacement which has been shown to help patients get up on their feet sooner after surgery.

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The Restore program at Hill Country Memorial Hospital has been designed to help patients on an individual basis as they proceed through their total joint replacement.  Starting with a pre-op class which includes education on what to expect throughout the surgery and recovery process and ending with Restore reunion gatherings throughout the year, Hill Country Memorial Hospital has designed a joint replacement program completely tailored to your needs and assists you in every step of the way.  Hill Country Memorial and Dr Beicker work hand-in-hand as you progress through your total hip replacement.

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The first step when making the decision about hip replacement is to meet with your surgeon to see if you are a candidate for total hip replacement surgery. Your surgeon will take your medical history, perform a physical examination and X-ray your hip. Even if the pain is significant, and the X-rays show advanced arthritis of the joint, the first line of treatment is nearly always non-operative. This includes weight loss if appropriate, an exercise regimen, medication, injections, or bracing. If the symptoms persist despite these measures, and with corroborating X-rays, then you may consider surgery.

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The decision to move forward with surgery is not always straight forward and usually involves a thoughtful conversation with yourself, your loved ones and ultimately your surgeon. The final decision rests on you based on the pain and disability from the arthritis influencing your quality of life and daily activities. Those who decide to proceed with surgery commonly report that their symptoms keep them from participating in activities that are important to them like walking, taking stairs, working, sleeping, putting on socks and shoes, sitting for long periods of time. Surgery is the next option when non-operative treatments have failed.  (courtesy AAHKS.com)