Townsend Letter: Hip Replacement – Do You Really Need It?

The hip gets a lot of wear and tear! And it can be weakened by a lot of different things. Eventually, the cumulative injuries cause arthritis to develop. And before long, people find themselves in the surgeon’s office receiving the news that they need a hip replacement. But do they really?

Hip surgeries are going through the roof. With close to 10 million hip surgeries performed annually. That’s a lot of surgery. And many of us would prefer to avoid surgery if at all possible.

Are there treatments that can help me avoid surgery?

Different non-surgical treatments are commonly recommended before the surgical recommendation. These include non-inflammatory medications and cortisone injections. But these treatments are not curative. And although they may help you endure the pain, they will not prevent the eventual hip replacement.

It is important to address the cause and not just the effect of the wearing out hip. Regenerative Orthopedics, such as Dextrose Prolotherapy, Platelet Rich Plasma, and Stem Cell Prolotherapy, are all non-surgical treatment options that get to the root of the problem. They actually stimulate ligament, tendon, and cartilage repair. And most people have pain because of injury to one or all of these structures.

Injury to soft tissue, like the ligaments, tendons, and cartilage, causes the joint to become unstable. And this instability breaks the joint down further. Eventually, the person with a worn-out hip will experience loss of motion. Bone spurs will develop, and the bones will “bump” into one another. These symptoms probably sound familiar because they are experienced with arthritis. And pain medication won’t fix the cause.

Surgery that takes out parts will alter the structure and function of the joint. Eventually, more surgery will be needed. Yes, surgery is sometimes needed. But unnecessary hip replacements should be avoided. Seek out an experienced Prolotherapist to see if you are a candidate for a regenerative therapy that can help you to avoid surgery.

Remember, once the surgery is done, it cannot be undone.

See testimonials from patients who have received Regenerative Orthopedics by clicking here.