Your hip bone is an essential part of a body’s motor functions. When it gets damaged or worn down, your mobility is reduced and you can feel pain even when at rest. Osteoarthritis is the main culprit when it comes to hip problems.
Hip implant surgery can significantly improve your quality of life and solve your mobility issues. There are a few different types of hip implants out there, but not all are made to be equal. Some offer better healing, while others last longer.
Here’s everything you need to know about the different types of hip implants and what to expect after surgery.
Types of Hip Implants
There are currently four different types of hip implants available in the United States. The hip implants cost and hip replacement recovery time will depend on what type you get.
Metal-on-Polyethylene has a metal ball inside of a plastic socket and is one of the most common options. The only issue is that the plastic can wear out over time.
Patients can opt for a ceramic ball joint instead of a metal one. Ceramic hip implants have the longest lifespan and resist breakage. They can come with either a plastic or ceramic socket lining.
The final type of hip implant is ceramic-on-metal. This combines the best of both worlds without the concern of metal grinding against metal.
Hip Implants Cost
The factors that go into total hip replacement costs include the surgery, the materials, and the recovery.
Hip implants can cost as little as $2,000 for the procedure and go up to as much as $12,651. Most health insurance plans cover the procedure, including Medicaid and Medicare. Make sure to contact your provider so you know what to expect when it comes to out-of-pocket payments.
Expect the more modern types of hip implants to cost more. These include ceramic-on-ceramic and ceramic-on-plastic. Metal-on-plastic implants are much more affordable.
Hip Replacement Recovery
The hip replacement procedure itself could take up to 2 hours. After that, you’ll need to stay in a hospital room for a few hours to recover, though some patients go home the same day. After six weeks of recovery time, you should be able to resume your normal daily activities.
Older patients often get fitted with a cemented fixation, which helps bond the prosthesis and the bone. A cementless fixation attaches directly to the bone, providing more stability but also a longer healing time.
Younger patients should expect a faster recovery time.
Choose the Right Hip Implant
When it comes down to it, your surgeon should inform their patients of their options when it comes to hip implants. Which one has the best track record? Does the surgeon change up the type of implant depending on a particular patient’s needs?
There is no “best” choice overall. While recent types promise long-lasting results, they haven’t been tried and tested like older hip implants. Talk with your doctor to know your options.
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