Before You Commit to Hip Replacement, Be Certain You Have the Right Plan
Get an independent evaluation from an experienced, board-certified orthopedic surgeon who can review your symptoms, examination, imaging, surgical approach and implant options. Understand whether you need surgery, whether the timing is right and what type of hip replacement best fits you.
Is Total Hip Replacement Really the Right Next Step?
Hip replacement can provide substantial pain relief and improved mobility for appropriately selected patients with advanced hip arthritis. However, an abnormal X-ray alone does not determine whether surgery is the correct next step.
Your pain pattern, physical examination, mobility, activity limitations, imaging, overall health and response to previous treatment all matter. It is also important to confirm that the hip joint—not the lower back, nerves or another condition—is the primary source of your symptoms.
The goal of a second opinion is not simply to approve surgery. It is to determine whether hip replacement is appropriate and create a plan that fits your anatomy, health and lifestyle.
A hip replacement second opinion may be helpful when:
A Complete Review of Your Hip, Not Just Your X-Ray
A meaningful second opinion considers the diagnosis, the source of your pain, the treatments you have already attempted and the details of the proposed operation.
Symptoms and Function
We discuss groin pain, thigh pain, stiffness, walking tolerance, difficulty with shoes and socks, sleep disturbance and limitations in everyday activity.
Examination and Imaging
Your surgeon evaluates hip motion, strength, gait, leg length, tenderness and available X-rays, MRI scans and other medical records.
The Surgical Plan
We discuss whether surgery is appropriate, the intended surgical approach, implant fixation, bearing materials, discharge plan and expected recovery.
Anterior-Based Hip Replacement — Not a Posterior Approach
All of our hip replacement surgeons use an anterior-based approach. We do not routinely perform primary hip replacement through a traditional posterior approach.
Why the Surgical Approach Matters
A hip replacement can be performed through several surgical approaches. The appropriate technique should provide safe exposure, accurate implant positioning and a reliable pathway to recovery.
Our surgeons use anterior-based techniques designed to reach the hip from the front or front-side of the joint rather than through a traditional incision behind the hip.
Your Hip Implant Should Be Selected for You
Hip replacement is not a one-implant-fits-every-patient procedure. Implant fixation, sizing and bearing materials should be selected based on your age, anatomy, activity level, bone quality and clinical needs.
Age and Activity Level
Younger and more active patients may have different implant and bearing considerations than older patients with lower physical demands.
Bone Quality
Bone strength, shape and quality help determine implant sizing and whether cementless or cemented fixation may be most appropriate.
Ceramic Femoral Heads
Modern ceramic head options may be selected when appropriate based on patient age, implant design and surgeon judgment.
Advanced Polyethylene Liners
Contemporary liner options may include highly cross-linked polyethylene and vitamin E-stabilized polyethylene when appropriate for the selected implant system.
Stability Options
Femoral head size, liner design and specialized options such as dual mobility may be considered when additional stability is clinically important.
Primary and Revision Options
Our surgeons have access to implant systems designed for routine primary hip replacement as well as more complex anatomy and revision situations.
Access to Current Implant Technology Without a Hospital Mandating a Lesser Material to Reduce Its Costs
Our surgeons select implants and bearing materials according to the patient’s clinical needs, age, anatomy and bone quality. When an advanced option such as a ceramic head, vitamin E-stabilized polyethylene or another contemporary technology is appropriate and available within the selected system, the decision is based on the surgical plan—not a hospital directive to substitute a lesser material simply to conserve facility costs.
Most of Our Hip Replacement Patients Go Home the Same Day
Many appropriately selected patients can walk shortly after surgery and recover at home without a traditional multi-day hospital stay.
Preoperative Planning
Medical screening, home preparation, medication planning and patient education begin before the day of surgery.
Same-Day Mobilization
Patients are generally encouraged to stand, walk and begin functional recovery soon after surgery when medically appropriate.
Recovery at Home
Most of our appropriately selected hip replacement patients are discharged home the day of surgery with a structured recovery plan.
Hip Replacement at an Ambulatory Surgery Center
Many healthy and appropriately selected patients may be candidates for hip replacement at an ambulatory surgery center rather than a traditional hospital. An ASC can provide a focused surgical environment and may substantially reduce the facility cost of care, depending on insurance coverage, deductibles, network status and the individual benefit plan.
The safest and most appropriate setting comes first. Patients who need additional medical monitoring, hospital resources or an overnight stay may be better served in a hospital setting. The surgical location is selected after reviewing your health, support system, insurance and individual risk factors.
Experience Matters in Hip Replacement
A second opinion should give you more than reassurance. It should provide a clear explanation of the diagnosis, approach, implant, surgical setting and expected recovery.
Established Since 1968
A longstanding orthopedic practice serving patients throughout Atlanta and the surrounding region.
Board-Certified Surgeons
Evaluation by experienced orthopedic surgeons who routinely treat hip arthritis and perform joint replacement.
Anterior-Based Techniques
Our hip replacement surgeons use anterior-based approaches rather than routinely performing primary replacement through a posterior approach.
Hospital and ASC Options
Surgery may be performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgery center based on medical appropriateness and patient needs.
Hip Replacement Second-Opinion Evaluations
Hip replacement evaluations are available with Dr. Maurice Jové, Dr. Nathan Jové and Dr. Jeff Traub. Bring your imaging and relevant records for an individualized review of your diagnosis, surgical approach, implant choices and outpatient options.
What Should You Bring?
Having the right information available helps your surgeon provide a more complete and useful hip replacement second opinion.
Do not delay scheduling simply because you do not yet have every record. Our team can help explain which information may be useful.
Hip Replacement Second Opinion FAQ
Important questions to ask before committing to total hip replacement.
Do all Atlanta Bone & Joint surgeons use an anterior approach for hip replacement?
Our hip replacement surgeons use anterior-based approaches rather than routinely performing primary total hip replacement through a traditional posterior approach. The exact technique is individualized according to the patient’s anatomy, diagnosis and surgical history.
How do you decide which hip implant to use?
Implant selection is individualized according to factors such as age, activity level, anatomy, bone quality, medical history and the need for primary or revision surgery. There is no single implant that is ideal for every patient.
Do you use ceramic heads and vitamin E polyethylene?
Our surgeons have access to contemporary implant and bearing options, including ceramic femoral heads, highly cross-linked polyethylene and vitamin E-stabilized polyethylene when appropriate and available within the selected implant system. The chosen materials depend on the patient and the complete surgical plan.
Can a hospital require my surgeon to use a cheaper implant material?
Hospitals and surgical facilities may maintain implant contracts and formularies. Our surgeons choose among appropriate available systems based on the patient’s anatomy, age, bone quality and clinical needs. We do not allow a hospital to direct us to use a lesser bearing material simply to reduce its facility costs when a more appropriate contemporary option is available for the patient.
Will I go home the same day after hip replacement?
Most of our appropriately selected hip replacement patients go home the day of surgery. Same-day discharge depends on medical health, mobility, pain control, home support and the absence of a clinical reason for continued monitoring.
Can my hip replacement be performed at an ambulatory surgery center?
Many healthy and appropriately selected patients may qualify for hip replacement at an ambulatory surgery center. Other patients may be better served in a hospital because of medical conditions, surgical complexity or the need for additional postoperative monitoring.
Can having surgery at an ASC reduce my cost?
An ambulatory surgery center may have lower facility charges than a hospital outpatient department. Actual patient savings depend on the insurance plan, deductible, coinsurance, network participation and facility benefits. Our team can help patients explore the available setting options.
Could my hip pain actually be coming from my back?
Yes. Hip arthritis, lumbar spine conditions, nerve irritation, bursitis and other problems can produce overlapping symptoms. The physical examination and imaging review help identify the most likely source of pain before surgery is recommended.
Does severe arthritis on an X-ray always mean I need hip replacement?
No. Imaging is important, but the recommendation also depends on symptoms, functional limitations, examination findings, overall health and the response to previous treatment.
Can I get a second opinion if my hip replacement is already scheduled?
Yes. Patients may request another evaluation even after surgery has been recommended or scheduled. Bring the proposed plan, available imaging and relevant medical records to the appointment.
Be Certain You Understand the Plan Before Hip Replacement
Speak with our team or request an appointment online for an independent total hip replacement second opinion in Atlanta.