Persistent hip pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility can interfere with daily activities like walking, climbing stairs, or even getting a good night’s sleep. When these symptoms progress and stop responding to conservative treatments, it may be time to consider hip replacement as a long-term solution.
At the practice of Dr. Kevin McCarthy, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon in Hollywood, FL, we specialize in diagnosing and treating advanced joint conditions. From hip arthritis to chronic joint damage, we’re here to guide you through every step of care with experience and compassion.
Let’s look at the most common signs of advanced hip damage and how to know when hip replacement might be the best next step.
Common Symptoms of Severe Hip Arthritis
The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint that allows smooth movement and bears the weight of your upper body. Over time, conditions such as hip osteoarthritis, injury, or inflammation can cause this joint to wear down, leading to chronic pain and stiffness.
You may be meeting hip replacement criteria if you experience:
- Persistent pain in the groin, buttock, or thigh—even at rest
- Trouble walking or standing for more than a few minutes
- Hip stiffness that limits motion or makes it difficult to get dressed
- Pain that worsens with activity and improves only slightly with rest
- Waking up due to hip pain or having trouble sleeping
- Knee pain or limping due to altered posture
- Difficulty performing normal daily tasks like climbing stairs, shopping, or driving
When these symptoms become consistent or disabling, it may be one of the clearest signs that you need a hip replacement evaluation.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
At Kevin McCarthy, MD Orthopedic Surgery, we believe surgery isn’t the first step—it’s the last. Whenever possible, Dr. McCarthy starts with conservative approaches to manage hip pain and improve mobility.
Here are the most common non-surgical treatment options we may recommend:
- Pain Management: Over-the-counter or prescription medications such as NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) or acetaminophen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises can strengthen muscles around the hip joint, improve flexibility, and increase range of motion.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Weight loss, activity modification, and avoiding high-impact movements can lessen pressure on the joint and reduce symptoms.
- Assistive Devices: A cane or walker may help you move more comfortably while reducing strain on the hip.
- Cortisone Injections: These injections can offer temporary relief by reducing inflammation inside the joint.
If these non-surgical treatments no longer provide meaningful relief, or if imaging shows progressive damage, Dr. McCarthy may recommend hip replacement as the next step.
When to Consider Surgery
Understanding when to consider hip replacement is key to protecting your long-term mobility and quality of life. If you're noticing multiple signs and conservative care has lost its effect, a surgical consultation may be the next logical step.
Conservative Treatments Are No Longer Working
If you’ve tried physical therapy, anti-inflammatory pain medication, lifestyle changes, or injections and still experience persistent pain or stiffness, these are clear hip replacement indications. When relief becomes temporary or inconsistent, surgery may offer a more reliable solution.
Your Daily Activities Are Limited
Difficulty with walking, standing, climbing stairs, or getting in and out of a car are functional limitations that point to hip replacement criteria. If pain is interfering with work, exercise, or rest, it may be time to consider a total hip replacement.
You Have Advanced Joint Damage
Imaging studies like X-rays or MRIs showing joint space narrowing, bone-on-bone contact, or joint deformity are strong signs that the hip joint is structurally compromised. These are physical signs that a long-lasting artificial hip joint could be more effective than continued conservative care.
Pain Is Constant—Even at Rest
If severe hip pain persists even when lying down or sitting still, it often indicates advanced degeneration. Many patients also report hip stiffness in the morning or after long periods of inactivity, which doesn’t improve with stretching or rest.
You’re Experiencing Secondary Health Effects
Chronic pain often causes people to reduce their activity level, leading to muscle atrophy, weight gain, or reliance on pain medications. These changes can affect not just your hip but your heart, sleep, and emotional well-being. In some cases, limping due to a painful hip can cause knee pain or back strain.
You’re Looking to Avoid Further Decline
When chronic hip stiffness warrants lifestyle changes or your mobility begins to decline significantly, early surgical intervention can help relieve pain, restore function, and reduce the risk of long-term complications like blood clots or falls.
Long-Term Benefits of Hip Replacement
Hip replacement is a life-changing procedure that restores movement, relieves pain, and significantly improves overall quality of life. At Kevin McCarthy, MD in Hollywood, FL, we combine surgical expertise with cutting-edge Enovis technology to deliver results that go beyond basic function, focusing on comfort, durability, and long-term success.
Patients who undergo total hip replacement surgery with Dr. McCarthy benefit from:
- Lasting Relief from Hip Pain: Whether caused by osteoarthritis, trauma, or other conditions, chronic discomfort is dramatically reduced or eliminated.
- Improved Mobility and Independence: Patients often regain the ability to walk, exercise, and return to daily activities with confidence and ease.
- Long-Term Implant Durability: With advanced Enovis solutions like the EMPOWR™ Acetabular System, Dual Mobility, and P2™ porous technology, implants are designed for superior bone ingrowth, stability, and longevity.
- Reduced Dislocation and Wear: Enovis’s ceramic femoral head and dual mobility design help reduce wear and minimize dislocation risk—an important factor for active patients.
- Enhanced Precision and Recovery: Dr. McCarthy uses ARVIS® Augmented Reality technology for precise implant positioning, resulting in less tissue disruption, faster recovery, and more predictable outcomes.
- Revision-Ready Technology: In cases where revision is needed, the EXPRT® Revision Hip System allows for customized, stable solutions tailored to complex anatomy.
With the right implant and the right surgeon, a hip replacement can provide 15–20 years—or more—of reliable, pain-free mobility. At our practice, patients don’t just walk again: they live again.
How Dr. Kevin McCarthy Can Help
At Kevin McCarthy, MD, we’re committed to helping you regain comfort, movement, and confidence through expert, personalised joint care. With decades of experience treating complex hip conditions, Dr. McCarthy is known for delivering exceptional outcomes in both primary and revision hip replacement surgery.
What makes our approach different:
- Personalised Surgical Planning: Every procedure is tailored to your anatomy, lifestyle, and activity goals for better long-term results.
- Innovative, Minimally Invasive Techniques: Dr. McCarthy uses advanced approaches such as the anterior hip method and Enovis systems to support faster, less painful recovery.
- Transparent Guidance: We clearly walk you through your options, including expected outcomes, implant details, and hip replacement surgery cost.
- Comprehensive, Supportive Care: From your first consultation through post-surgical rehabilitation, our team provides consistent, coordinated care you can trust.
Whether you're just beginning to consider treatment or ready for the next step, Dr. McCarthy offers the expertise and technology to guide you forward with confidence.
Schedule Your Hip Evaluation with Dr. McCarthy
If you’re experiencing ongoing hip stiffness, pain, or loss of mobility, you may be showing signs that you need a hip replacement. Dr. McCarthy in Hollywood, FL, offers expert evaluations and treatment options tailored to your needs—whether that’s continued conservative care or advanced hip replacement surgery.
Call us at 954-963-3500 or request an appointment online to take the first step toward lasting relief and renewed mobility.
