Total HIP REPLACEMENT

Hip & Knee Specialists - Lowcountry Orthopaedics, Charleston, SC

Injuries don’t keep office hours. When its urgent, get diagnosed and recover fast when you go straight to the orthopedic experts with Ortho After Hours.

As premier hip and knee replacement surgeons in Charleston, SC, Dr. Zimlich and Dr. Stem alleviate patient pain and discomfort using innovative techniques and technologies. Concentrating exclusively on knee and hip replacement, the Lowcountry Orthopaedics Hip and Knee Specialists operate at the Lowcountry Orthopaedics Surgery Center and area hospitals per patient preference.

Top rated for eight years in a row as Charleston’s Choice for best orthopedic surgeons, countless of satisfied patients walk away with a pain free, natural feeling knee or hip. From custom total knee arthroplasty using 3D printing to the area’s first and only outpatient surgery center based robotic knee replacement program, patients trust Lowcountry Orthopaedics Hip and Knee Specialists.

Signature services include:

  • Custom total knee arthroplasty using 3D printing
  • Same day robotic knee replacement program
  • Personalized joint replacement experience
  • Dedicated team of nurses, physician assistants, and physical therapists
  • Proven outcomes for quick recovery and pain-free lives

Same day appointments are available at one of our convenient North Charleston, Summerville, or Daniel Island locations.

Total Hip Replacement

In a total hip replacement (also called total hip arthroplasty), the damaged bone and cartilage are removed and replaced with prosthetic components.

  • The damaged femoral head is removed and replaced with a metal stem that is placed into the hollow center of the femur. The femoral stem may be either cemented or “press-fit” into the bone.
  • A metal or ceramic ball is placed on the upper part of the stem. This ball replaces the damaged femoral head that was removed.
  • The damaged cartilage surface of the socket (acetabulum) is removed and replaced with a metal socket. Screws or cement are sometimes used to hold the socket in place.
  • A plastic, ceramic, or metal spacer is inserted between the new ball and the socket to allow for a smooth gliding surface.

Candidates For Surgery

There are no absolute age or weight restrictions for total hip replacements.

Recommendations for surgery are based on a patient’s pain and disability, not age. Most patients who undergo total hip replacement are age 50 to 80, but orthopedic surgeons evaluate patients individually. Total hip replacements have been performed successfully at all ages, from the young teenager with juvenile arthritis to the elderly patient with degenerative arthritis.

Common Causes of Hip Pain

The most common cause of chronic hip pain and disability is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic arthritis are the most common forms of this disease.

Osteoarthritis

This is an age-related “wear and tear” type of arthritis. It usually occurs in people 50 years of age and older and often in individuals with a family history of arthritis. The cartilage cushioning the bones of the hip wears away. The bones then rub against each other, causing hip pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis may also be caused or accelerated by subtle irregularities in how the hip developed in childhood.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This is an autoimmune disease in which the synovial membrane becomes inflamed and thickened. This chronic inflammation can damage the cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of a group of disorders termed “inflammatory arthritis.”

Post-Traumatic Arthritis

This can follow a serious hip injury or fracture. The cartilage may become damaged and lead to hip pain and stiffness over time.

Avascular Necrosis

An injury to the hip, such as a dislocation or fracture, may limit the blood supply to the femoral head. This is called avascular necrosis. The lack of blood may cause the surface of the bone to collapse, and arthritis will result. Some diseases can also cause avascular necrosis.

Childhood Hip Disease

Some infants and children have hip problems. Even though the problems are successfully treated during childhood, they may still cause arthritis later on in life. This happens because the hip may not grow normally, and the joint surfaces are affected.

HIP & KNEE SPECIALIST

Richard Zimlich, MD

Richard Zimlich, MD

Hip & Knee Specialist

 Eric Stem, MD

Eric Stem, MD

Hip & Knee Specialist

Neal Huang, MD

Neal Huang, MD

Hip & Knee Specialist

Sarah Burden, FNP-BC

Sarah Burden, FNP-BC

Nurse Practitioner

Elizabeth Smiley, MMS, PA-C

Elizabeth Smiley, MMS, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Hip & Knee Specialists

Fast forward to feeling better with Lowcountry Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine’s board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons that specialize in joint reconstruction and hip and knee surgery.

Same Day Appointments

Same-Day Joint Replacement

The benefits of same-day total hip or knee replacement surgery include fast recovery, lower risk of infection, no risk of hospital-acquired illness, cost reduction, and increased patient satisfaction. Patients interested in same-day joint surgery should schedule an evaluation with Dr. Zimlich to review their medical profile for candidacy.

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