As an orthopedic surgeon, I see many patients with hip pain. Hip pain caused by arthritis can be especially debilitating. It can manifest as groin pain, thigh pain and stiffness in the hip. Patients can have difficulty performing simple tasks such as putting on socks and shoes, climbing stairs and getting into a car. The goal of a total hip replacement is pain relief. For some patients, depending on the severity of their damaged hip, that pain relief can be immediate.
After a full recovery, which includes physical therapy, most people get back to do the things they enjoy. Quality of life after hip replacement is dramatically improved in most cases. Patients can go from not being able to get out of chair without pain, to walking miles without discomfort. Also, most people are returning to work in three months, if not sooner, in some cases.