Hip Replacement

Stop Being A Spectator Of Life

What you need to know when considering a hip replacment

Can You Relate To Our Patients?

“My hip pain made it unbearable to walk around the block or even sleep comfortably—it was constant aching. I missed hiking with my friends and felt like I was losing my active lifestyle.”

“Years of arthritis left my hip so stiff I could barely get out of my truck, and it was affecting my work and time with my family. I was tired of limping through my day and relying on pain meds that didn’t fix the problem.”

“My hip pain got so bad that I couldn’t play drums anymore at church events. It was robbing me of my hobbies and independence. I also became more and more nervous of falling because the pain made me struggle to stay balanced.”

How A Hip Replacement Works

Hip replacement surgery restores mobility and relieves chronic pain by replacing damaged hip joint surfaces with durable prosthetic components, helping you regain an active, independent life. Me and my team customize this procedure to your specific condition, whether due to arthritis, injury, or wear, to ensure optimal function and comfort.

Hip replacement surgery is either total (replacing the entire joint) or partial (replacing only the damaged portion), depending on the extent of your hip damage. Understanding these options helps us choose the approach best suited to your pain and mobility needs.

Total hip replacement is ideal for severe joint damage. Both the ball and socket are replaced for comprehensive pain relief and restored function.

PROS: Eliminates pain from advanced arthritis or extensive damage by replacing the entire hip joint. Long-lasting results, typically 15-20 years. Restores full hip function to improve stability for daily tasks like climbing stairs and standing. Addresses complex issues such as bone deformity or severe cartilage loss. Ideal for patients with widespread joint deterioration seeking significant improvement.

CONS: Longer recovery time (6-12 weeks for full activity) due to it being a more extensive surgery. Requires general or regional anesthesia, which may carry risks for some patients. Higher surgical complexity and cost compared to partial replacement. More swelling or stiffness may occur during the early stages of recovery.

Partial hip replacement, often for fractures or localized damage, is a less invasive option that replaces only the ball to preserve more natural tissue.

PROS: Less invasive to preserve healthy bone for a faster recovery (4-8 weeks) and less pain. Smaller incisions reduce scarring and post-operative discomfort. Often performed under regional anesthesia which lowers anesthesia-related risks. Maintains more natural hip movement which is ideal for localized damage like fractures. Lower cost and shorter hospital stay.

CONS: Limited only to patients with specific damage and not suitable for widespread arthritis. Shorter longevity (10-15 years) may potentially require future revision to a total replacement. May not fully relieve pain if undetected damage exists in the socket. Risk of a total replacement being necessary in the future if arthritis develops in remaining joint areas.

Part one

Your Consultation

Your journey to a pain-free hip begins with a personalized consultation with me where we discuss your hip pain, mobility limitations, and lifestyle goals. During this 60-minute session I’ll evaluate your joint health, medical history, and activity aspirations to determine whether a total or partial hip replacement is best.

Me and my team use X-rays or MRIs to assess joint damage and discuss your expectations for recovery and daily function. You’ll have ample time to ask questions and review potential outcomes so you can make the most informed choice for your health.

We discuss your hip pain, stiffness, and limitations in activities like walking or standing.

We review imaging to evaluate cartilage loss, bone damage, or fractures in the hip.

We explore your post-surgery aspirations, such as returning to work, hobbies, and pain-free activities.

We assess your health, medications, and prior injuries to ensure safety and candidacy.

We discuss the options you have between total and partial replacement, along with detailing the benefits, risks, and expected outcomes.

Part two

Your surgery

Hip replacement is an inpatient procedure performed under general or regional anesthesia, typically lasting 1-2 hours. Me and my team use advanced techniques to ensure precision, safety, and optimal joint function.

Preparation: You’re comfortably positioned and anesthesia is administered by our anesthesiologist Dr. Avery.

Marking: I mark your hip to guide incisions and prosthetic placement.

Incision: I make a precise incision (smaller for partial, longer for total) over your hip, often via an anterior or posterior approach.

Joint Preparation: Damaged bone and cartilage are removed (ball only for partial, ball and socket for total).

Prosthetic Placement: A custom-fitted metal, ceramic, or plastic implant is secured to replicate natural hip movement.

Alignment Check: Intraoperative imaging ensures proper implant alignment and joint stability.

Closure: The incision is closed with unique sutures or staples to maximize healing and minimize scarring.

Dressings: Sterile dressings and a support device are applied to protect the hip.

Part three

Your recovery

Heading home after surgery

You’ll stay in the hospital 1-2 days for us to monitor you and start physical therapy to promote movement. Pain is managed with medication and you’ll use a walker or crutches for stability.

Days 2-3

At home you’ll continue light exercises, with swelling and discomfort decreasing. Follow our wound care and medication instructions to support healing.

Days 4–7

You’ll progress to more independent movement and less reliance on assistive devices. Physical therapy intensifies to improve hip flexibility and strength with follow-up visits to monitor progress.

Weeks 1-3

Most patients resume light activities like walking short distances with reduced pain. Therapy continues to build muscle support and you may drive after 2-3 weeks if cleared.

Weeks 3-6

Swelling subsides and you’ll walk more comfortably, possibly without aids. Low-impact activities like swimming can resume. Physical therapy continues with a focus on full range of motion.

Months 2-6

Your hip feels strong and natural enough for more serious activities like golf or light hiking. Full recovery, including optimal strength, is typically achieved by 3-6 months. Ongoing exercises are essential to maintain results.

Most Effective & Comfortable Hip Replacement

One of the top concerns my patients have when considering a hip replacement is how effective and comfortable the final outcome will be. Here’s how me and my team ensure that happens…

Every hip replacement is tailored to your anatomy and activity goals to ensure the implant fits perfectly and supports your daily life. We use advanced imaging during the consultation to measure your hip dimensions and select a prosthetic that mimics your natural movement. This personalized approach maximizes function and comfort to ensure your new hip feels like a seamless part of you.

Me and my team use minimally invasive approaches such as the anterior or posterior technique to reduce muscle trauma and enhance recovery. Computer-assisted navigation ensures precise implant alignment to improve stability and reduce wear. These methods minimize post-operative pain and support smoother mobility.

Me and my team use intraoperative imaging and robotic-assisted tools to achieve exact implant placement and hip alignment. This precision reduces stress on the prosthetic to extend its lifespan and ensure smooth, natural movement during walking or bending. We also balance surrounding tissues to prevent instability. Our patients benefit from a stable, comfortable hip that supports daily activities. Our commitment to this accuracy will deliver you lasting results.

We provide a tailored recovery plan including physical therapy customized to your progress, pain management, and regular follow-ups to monitor healing. We also offer exercise guidance to rebuild hip strength and nutritional advice to support tissue repair, with access to support groups for shared experiences. This comprehensive care ensures you regain mobility with confidence. You will be supported throughout your entire journey.

Common Patient questions & Concerns About A Hip Replacement

Undergoing a hip replacement is a big decision, and it’s normal to have questions and concerns. Here are some of the most common ones I hear from my patients…

I understand your concern about persistent pain, but hip replacement is highly effective at eliminating pain and restoring mobility. We customize the procedure to your hip damage and lifestyle, using advanced implants to support activities like walking or light sports. Most of our patients report significant pain relief within weeks and return to hobbies by 3-6 months.

Recovery can seem daunting, but we make it manageable with a clear, step-by-step plan tailored to your needs. You’ll start physical therapy in the hospital, and we provide pain management, exercises, and follow-ups to support you. Most of our patients resume light activities within 2-3 weeks, with major improvements by 6 weeks. Our team ensures you feel confident and supported throughout the entire recovery process. We are with you every step of the way!

Safety is my top priority always, and hip replacement is safe for most older adults when carefully planned. Me and my team perform thorough pre-operative screenings to assess your health conditions and tailor anesthesia and surgical techniques to minimize risks. The combination of me, my experienced team, and our advanced facility will ensure you’re in expert hands. Many of my patients have actually had their overall health improve through the reduced pain and increased activity only possible through their hip replacement.

Modern hip implants are designed to feel natural and last 15-20 years or more, depending on your activity level. We select high-quality prosthetics customized to your anatomy, ensuring smooth movement and comfort. Precise surgical placement extends implant life, and we guide you on low-impact activities to maintain it. Many of my patients are often amazed at how their new hip feels just like they used to.

I use strategic incisions along natural hip contours to minimize scarring, with even smaller incisions for partial replacements. Advanced closure techniques and scar-care protocols, like silicone gels, help scars fade significantly within months. While function is my focus, I also understand appearance matters, and my patients appreciate the discreet results our process achieves. We’ll discuss incision placement during your consultation to address this concern.

What Our Patients Are Saying about their hip replacement

“My hip replacement gave me back my freedom. I’m hiking with friends and sleeping through the night without pain—it’s like I’ve reclaimed my life! The team was so caring and explained everything clearly to guide me through therapy to get moving fast. I’m thrilled to be active again and can’t thank them enough.”

“After my hip replacement, I’m back to running my business and golfing with my buddies, completely pain-free. The implant feels so natural and just like I used to. They made the process seamless, from the consultation to recovery support that kept me on track. This surgery was a game-changer, and their expertise made all the difference.”

“My hip replacement let me return to playing music without that awful pain holding me back. I feel strong and confident again and I must say my drumming sounds better than it has in a long time! I’m so grateful for your help to give me my life back.”

Ready for a life without hip pain?

The next step is to schedule your one-on-one consultation. It will last about an hour and no detail will be overlooked.

The goal of this consultation isn’t to convince you one way or another but rather give you the clarity and confidence to make the decision that’s best for you and your health.

You can schedule your consultation 3 ways, whichever is most convenient for you…

Call or text us directly at 310-774-7311. Stop by and visit us at Death Valley National Park, Badwater Rd, California 92328. Or complete the form below and we’ll contact you.

DO NOT COMPLETE THIS FORM, NOT FUNCTIONAL. FOR VISUAL DEMONSTRATION ONLY.

hip replacement