The Latest in Hip Replacement with Rothman Florida Surgeon Dr. Petrie

While we may not realize it, we use our hips for just about everything in our daily lives. They are the joints that allow us to run, walk, and even stand, making them directly responsible for many of the movements we find to be commonplace as adults. And because they bear a large portion of our body's weight, the muscles around the hips must be strong and flexible in order to endure the wear and tear on the joint that comes along with life’s day-to-day activities.

Hip pain can be one of the most persistent and lingering types of ache in the body, capable of making an action like sitting down feel like a chore. Because of this, those dealing with hip pain are urged to check in with their doctor to determine what is causing the pain, as well as what steps should be followed in order to get the best treatment possible.

For some, a doctor might recommend that it’s time to consider getting a hip replacement. But the term itself can seem jarring, and so there may be some questions about what a procedure like that entails.

Dr. Petrie, one of our many orthopedic specialists here at Rothman, discussed some of the most frequently asked questions we get around hip replacement surgery:

How does one know when they are ready for a hip replacement?

Dr. Petrie: Only a patient knows when they are ready for hip replacement surgery, and I discuss that when they have pain on a daily basis, their hip pain limits the activities they like to do, and when their quality of life suffers because of their hip—that’s when they’re typically ready.

How can I take care of myself so I don’t have hip pain?

Dr. Petrie: A lot of hip arthritis is genetic or caused by trauma, so there isn’t something a patient can truly modify with exception to 2 things: (A) muscle strength around a hurt hip—by staying active and continuing to keep the muscles strong, the joint will feel as good as it can, and (B) keeping a healthy weight—placing too much weight/force on the low back, hip, and knee joints will cause them to wear out faster doing normal activities than those people who maintain a healthy weight.

When can I run again after hip replacement?

Dr. Petrie: Running after hip replacement is based on surgeon preference. Some surgeons will tell you not to run on your replacement. I let my patients workout at the gym, do yoga/Pilates, play tennis, hike, swim, and cycle at 6 weeks post-op. Personally, I tell patients that if they are trying to do 10K races on their hip replacement, they will likely wear it out faster than someone who does low impact activities on their hip. Playing tennis or jogging 3-5 miles per week on a hip replacement is fine in my practice.

Are there any movements I CAN’T do after hip replacement?

Dr. Petrie: Movements you can and cannot do after hip replacement are based on the approach that your surgeon takes for the replacement, as well as individual surgeon preference. With the direct anterior approach that I use in my practice, I ask that patients don’t hyperextend the hip behind them for the first 6 weeks, but bending at the waist/twisting/stooping is fine. Surgeons who use a posterior approach typically ask that their patients don’t bend/twist or sit in a low chair for a certain period of time after the surgery. This is all surgeon dependent.

Who at Rothman - Florida can treat FAI and labral tears? 

Dr. Petrie: I did a hip and knee joint reconstruction and preservation fellowship, so I see all ages (16 and older) with hip issues and I do hip arthroscopy with labral repair for FAI (femoroacetabular impingement), as well as a multitude of other non-replacement procedures for the hip, including abductor tendon repairs. Additionally, my sports medicine partner, Dr. John Ruder, also specializes in arthroscopic hip surgeries here at Rothman Orthopaedics Florida.

Dr. Petrie is an orthopedic surgeon based in central Florida who specializes in hip and knee replacements. His office is currently located in Polk County.  He has been practicing medicine as a hip and knee surgeon in Central Florida since 2016, and he will resume seeing patients in Orlando in 2022.

At Rothman Orthopaedics, each of our doctors are hand-selected for their specialized skills in the field of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. With offices located all throughout the greater Philadelphia area, New Jersey, and now Florida, you don’t have to go far to get a level of care that’s consistently recognized as some of the best in the country. 

Now that you understand some of the nuances that come with a hip replacement, consider contacting us to set up an appointment with one of our specialists. Whether the procedure you need is surgical or non-operative, our team is suited with the technology and expertise necessary to ensure that you get back to who you were. If you find that you or a loved one is having consistent pain or aches in their joints or muscles, you can schedule an appointment with us here or by calling 1-800-321-9999.