Hip Surgery & Treatment FAQs

Hip pain can disrupt everything from your sleep to your stride. Whether you’re navigating early signs of arthritis or considering a total hip replacement, Dr. Todd Pitts is here to guide you through your options. Below are some of the most common questions we receive from patients about hip pain, treatment, and surgery.

Conditions We Treat:

  • Dr. Pitts provides both surgical and non-surgical care for a wide range of hip issues, including:

    • Hip arthritis (osteoarthritis and inflammatory)

    • Labral tears

    • Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)

    • Hip bursitis

    • Tendonitis and tendinopathy

    • Avascular necrosis (AVN)

    • Post-traumatic arthritis

    • Hip fractures

    • Gluteal tendon tears

    • Snapping hip syndrome

    • Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction

    • Hip dysplasia

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Hip pain can stem from many sources—arthritic wear and tear, labral tears, tendonitis, bursitis, or even referred pain from the spine. A clear diagnosis is the first step toward choosing the right path forward.

  • If your pain is persistent, affects your sleep, limits your daily activities, or hasn’t improved with rest and over-the-counter treatment, it’s time to talk with a specialist. Early intervention can preserve joint health and delay or avoid surgery.

  • A hip replacement removes the damaged portions of your joint—specifically the femoral head and the socket (acetabulum)—and replaces them with smooth, durable implants. This eliminates painful friction and restores mobility.

  • The anterior approach accesses the hip joint from the front, preserving more muscle and potentially allowing for faster recovery. Dr. Pitts performs this minimally invasive technique when appropriate for the patient’s anatomy and needs.

  • Yes. While most patients are good candidates for the anterior approach, the posterior method may still be preferred in specific cases. Dr. Pitts will discuss the best option for your unique situation.

  • Yes. Our goal is to have you up and walking within hours of your procedure. Most patients return home the same day and begin physical therapy shortly after.

  • Every patient is different, but many return to normal daily activity within 2–6 weeks. Full recovery—including strength and endurance—typically takes 3–6 months.

  • Many hip problems can be managed without surgery. Dr. Pitts always starts with non-operative treatment when appropriate. These options include:

    • Physical therapy

    • Lifestyle modifications

    • Injections (such as corticosteroids)

    • Anti-inflammatory medications

    • Activity modification and exercise plans

  • If your hip pain is:

    • Disrupting your sleep

    • Limiting your ability to work, exercise, or enjoy life

    • Not improving with conservative care

      —then it may be time for a hip replacement. Dr. Pitts will walk you through the decision process and answer every question along the way.

    • Hip Arthritis Evaluation and Treatment

    • Anterior Total Hip Replacement

    • Hip Pain Diagnosis and Imaging Review

    • Injections and Joint Preservation Strategies

    • Post-Operative Rehabilitation Planning

Total Hip Replacement: Understanding the Procedure and Recovery

Is hip pain keeping you from living your life? When conservative options no longer help, a total hip replacement might be the solution. Dr. Todd Pitts explains what the surgery involves, when it’s the right time, and what you can expect from recovery.

What Is a Total Hip Replacement?

A total hip replacement is a surgical procedure that removes the damaged surfaces of the hip joint and replaces them with smooth, durable implants. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint made up of the femoral head (top of the thigh bone) and the acetabulum (hip socket in the pelvis). When arthritis wears down the cartilage, the bones begin to rub together—causing friction, inflammation, and pain.

  • This procedure replaces the rough, damaged joint surfaces with:

    • A metal cup and plastic liner inside the hip socket

    • A metal stem and ball on the femur side

    These components remove the friction, allowing smooth, pain-free motion.

  • Hip replacements are considered when patients experience:

    • Advanced hip arthritis with cartilage damage

    • Night pain that disrupts sleep

    • Difficulty walking, standing, or sitting for long periods

    • Hip pain that doesn’t improve with physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, or injections

    If you’re missing out on life or relying on medication just to get through the day, it may be time.

  • Dr. Pitts customizes each procedure to fit the patient’s anatomy and goals. Here’s what happens:

    1. The head and neck of the femur are carefully removed.

    2. A metal cup is secured inside the hip socket and lined with a durable plastic.

    3. A metal implant is inserted into the femur to serve as the new “ball” of the joint.

    4. The joint is reassembled to restore leg length and function.

  • There are two main ways to access the hip joint:

    • Anterior Approach (from the front):

      Soft tissue-sparing, more common today, and often leads to faster early recovery.

    • Posterior Approach (from the back):

      Traditional and still effective, depending on the patient’s needs.

    Dr. Pitts uses the anterior approach for most patients to minimize tissue disruption and improve comfort during the healing process.

  • You might be ready for a hip replacement if:

    • You’ve already tried conservative care

    • Hip pain is limiting your daily life

    • You’re avoiding activities you enjoy because of discomfort

    • You need medication every day to manage the pain

    Dr. Pitts will work with you to confirm the diagnosis and ensure the pain is truly coming from the joint—not your back, muscles, or other causes—before moving forward with surgery.