Am I Too Young for Hip Replacement Surgery?

Your hips are a unique and vital set of ball-and-socket joints that connect your pelvis to your legs and make walking and most lower-body movements possible. Similar to your shoulder joints but more stable, your hips are the combination of the thigh bone (femur) connecting to the socket (acetabulum) in your pelvic bone. Ligaments, cartilage, and other joint tissue provide strength and support.

Hip problems can develop for many reasons, and if the damage is severe enough, replacement surgery may be the best option. If you live in the Lake Oswego, Oregon area and have a hip problem that replacement surgery may be able to treat, Dr. Steven Madey and his medical staff at Summit Orthopaedics can help. 

But are you too young for hip replacement? Let’s explore the reasons for the procedure and which factors may complicate the process, including age.

Reasons for hip replacement surgery

Also referred to as a hip arthroplasty, this surgery manages damage to the hip joint due to several conditions:

Arthritis

Both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis can damage your hip joint to the point where you may need surgical repair. Inflammation can erode cartilage, and years of wear-and-tear gradually break down musculoskeletal tissue.

Osteonecrosis

If the femoral ball section of the joint doesn’t receive enough blood, the bone can collapse and change shape. Osteonecrosis can also result from a fracture or dislocation in the joint.

Severe hip pain

If intense hip pain disrupts your sleep, doesn’t improve with medication, and makes walking, sitting, or basic movement difficult, surgery may be the next step.

The typical age range for hip replacement

Hip replacement is more common in people over 50, who account for more than 90% of procedures. That’s because the risk of wear-and-tear injuries, different forms of arthritis, and other hip problems increases with age. 

Hip replacement can be partial (a rare option mainly used for tumors or some types of fractures or breaks) or total (where the whole ball joint is replaced). More than 350,000 hip replacements are done annually.

The challenge of hip replacement in younger patients

People under 50 can undergo hip replacement, but it does present some challenges. The primary issue for younger patients is the lifespan of the implant. Younger patients tend to be more active, put more stress on the artificial joint, and may wear it out faster. 

By way of comparison, as many as 75% of younger patients will have a functioning implant up to 20 years later, whereas people with osteoarthritis may get up to 25 years out of theirs. Still, the benefits — such as improved quality of life, pain reduction, and the ability to stay fit — often outweigh the negatives. 

Every patient is different

Results will vary depending on each person’s needs. Just be aware that while hip replacement is possible for younger patients, the implant may not last as long. 

If you have questions and concerns about getting hip replacement surgery under 50, make an appointment with Dr. Madey and his team at Summit Orthopedics today.