Bertram Total Joint Centers

Total Hip Workbook: Understanding Outcomes and Expectations

Read the information below and proceed to the end to complete the consent form.

Part 1: Understanding Outcomes and Expectations

Expected Activity

Your activities cannot be expected to greatly increase after this surgery. For example, if you play tennis now with pain, you should be able to play tennis after surgery with less pain. Allowed activities after THR include walking, swimming, playing golf, playing doubles tennis. We do not recommend skiing, singles tennis, contact sports, jogging, or running.

I understand that my activities will not necessarily increase after THR.

Pain Relief

Few THR patients experience no pain whatsoever after the surgery. Indeed, most patients will have varying degrees of pain, depending upon their pain threshold. After all, you have had major surgery. An artificial hip is not the same as an original, healthy hip. Some patients will even have pain after surgery that cannot be explained.

Complexity can be compounded if a patient has other health problems. For example, patients who have back problems may sometimes have continued unexplained or frustrating pain after hip replacement. Nerves that are irritated from the back problem can innervate the areas around the hip and buttock.

Patients who have had previous hip surgery will have less likelihood of an excellent result. Neither can patients who have sustained severe injuries about the hip prior to surgery expect to have an excellent result.
You cannot expect to have a perfect hip after THR. After all, the surgery has repaired a flawed joint, replacing it with an artificial joint; therefore, it cannot be the same as a natural, healthy hip.

I understand that my hip replacement will not feel like a normal hip.
I understand that I may have pain that persists after surgery.
I understand that my surgeon may be unable to explain continued pain.
I understand that patients with chronic back problems will sometimes have continued pain.

Typical Outcomes After Hip Replacement

You must remember that results of hip surgery depend upon the state of your hip before surgery. In other words, if your hip was in a very bad condition before surgery, your results will not be as good as someone whose hip was in better condition than yours. If your hip was in a bad condition, good – not excellent – results are all you can hope to have. The earlier in the disease process that you have surgery, the better your outcome will probably be.¹⁸ In other words, someone with a mildly arthritic hip will probably be more satisfied with the result of surgery than someone who has had a severely arthritic hip prior to surgery. Patients who have the surgery earlier in the disease process will have better satisfaction with the surgery. Patients who wait for years to do something about their hip problem will have a less satisfactory result.¹⁸

According to statistics nationwide, 88% of patients having total joint replacement surgery will have a good to excellent outcome. Bear in mind: 88% is not 100%.

I understand that the worse my hip is before surgery, the more difficult it will be for me to have an excellent result. (Excellent meaning that the hip will have a nearly normal range of motion with little or no pain.)
I understand that 12% of patients undergoing this procedure will have a fair to poor result.

Joint Longevity

Most artificial hips will last from 15 to 20 years, but we cannot guarantee this longevity. Many factors are responsible for the life span of a hip replacement. These factors include the patient’s age or weight, activities undertaken after surgery, and the alignment of the prosthesis.

Sometimes mechanical failure beyond a surgeon’s control may happen, and if it does, revision surgery will be required.

I understand that my hip replacement will probably last 15-20 years, but there is no guarantee of that.

Phone: 239-592-0373

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Naples Office: 1009 Crosspointe Drive, Suite 2 • Naples, FL 34110

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