Do I need a hip replacement? Quiz: check your suitability
If you’re experiencing hip pain but aren’t sure what it means, our quick suitability quiz is a great place to start.
Do I need to see a consultant about my hip pain?
Our quick hip replacement quiz will ask you four questions designed to assess the pain levels in your hip. It will also determine whether you’d benefit from a consultation with one of our hip specialists.
Please note: this tool is only designed to give you a general indication of your condition. It will not provide a diagnosis.
- Takes just minutes to complete
- Personalised score
- Instant test results via email
How to tell if you need a hip replacement
Here are some signs to look out for and to discuss with your GP:
- persistent or recurring pain in and around the hip joint
- increasing pain, discomfort and immobility from a previous hip injury (such as a fractured pelvis, hip fracture or joint damage)
- difficulty exercising
- activity related pain and stiffness
- limited mobility
- disturbed sleep
- noticeable changes in the hip joint.
The links below are packed full of information around hip pain and the hip replacement procedure.
- Signs you need a hip replacement
- Hip replacement surgery guide
- Questions to ask before hip replacement surgery
- What does a worn out hip feel like?
Did you know?
Since 2004, the number of hip replacements in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland has more than doubled from around 44,000 to approximately 99,0001.
What are the symptoms of a worn hip joint?
The following are common symptoms and signs of a worn hip joint:
- Hip pain – this is localised in the buttock and groin. You may feel pain in the thigh and down towards the knee. It may initially be present when you put weight on the leg or while walking
- Hip stiffness – it may be difficult to bend over or move the leg of your affected hip
- Loss of mobility and motion – you may experience a decreased range of motion when bending and stretching the leg
- Limp – due to pain while walking, you may eventually develop a visible limp and require an assistive device. Unfortunately, this may restrict your ability to carry out everyday activities.
Where do you feel pain if your hip needs replacing?
The majority of hip pain is felt in or around the hip joint or in the buttock or groin. However, some people report discomfort in other areas of the body. These include the:
- knee
- thigh
- back.
How can a doctor tell if you need a hip replacement?
Your doctor should be able to get a good idea you need a hip replacement if you are experiencing the following:
- sharp, acute pain in your hip caused by a heavy fall or injury
- visible changes to your hip or leg such as heavy bruising or bleeding
- inability to move or bear weight on your leg
- prolonged hip pain that has worsened over time
- ineffectiveness of conservative treatments such as pain relief.
Will an x-ray show if I need a hip replacement?
No. x-rays can accurately diagnose hip osteoarthritis. However, they aren’t used as definitive proof a patient requires hip replacement surgery.
What is the one leg test for hip replacement?
If you are unable to stand on your bad leg for more than one minute, this could signify a hip issue.
How bad does a hip have to be before replacement?
The urgency of your surgery is dependent on the state of the joint. Your consultant will assess the damage and take your other symptoms into account before making a decision.
Other symptoms will include the amount of pain you’re in and whether your condition is affecting your ability to carry out daily tasks. Your mental wellbeing will also be taken into account when considering surgery.
What happens next?
This will depend on your quiz results. If we think you’d benefit from a consultation about your hip pain, a member of our friendly team will give you a call within a few days to discuss how you’d like to proceed.
If your results suggest you don’t need immediate help for your hip pain, you can still take things further with an initial consultation. Simply fill in and submit an online request form or call us on 0330 822 6530.
Sources and references
1 Statistica: Hip replacements in England and Wales since 2004
Acknowledgements
This article was completed with the help of Gyorgy Lovasz, Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon at Practice Plus Group. Among his qualifications are Specialist of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Budapest, and he spent three years in the UAE as a consultant orthopaedic-trauma surgeon.
Mr Lovasz has performed more than 4000 orthopaedic procedures in the UK. His main field of interest is lower limb arthroplasty.
Over the last few years Practice Plus Group has grown its Marketing Team to include art workers, campaign and social media managers, content editors, and digital analysts. Together, they provide a responsive and comprehensive service, ensuring all content is on-brand and in-line with relevant medical guidelines.
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