Who Needs a Hip Replacement? According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), most people who have hip joint replacements are between ages 50 and 80. These surgeries are usually performed for arthritis of the hip. Arthritis is a disease that breaks down cartilage (the cushion between bones). Without cartilage, the bones rub against each other, which can cause severe pain. A hip replacement may be used for three types of arthritis:
• rheumatoid arthritis — an autoimmune disease that leads to joint inflammation
• traumatic arthritis — damage to the joint caused by an injury
• osteoarthritis — a degenerative form of arthritis that’s most common in older adults
Doctors usually try to control arthritis discomfort with the use of walkers or canes, a low-impact exercise program, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. If these measures fail, a hip joint replacement is the best solution. You should consider a hip joint replacement if you can’t sleep or sit comfortably because of the pain, or if your arthritis limits your activities. Hip replacements can also be used for other health conditions. For instance, they’re sometimes used if a tumor grows in the hip joint. Hip replacements may also be used in an emergency to fix a fracture in the hip joint or the thighbone. A condition called avascular necrosis of the hip often requires a total hip replacement.