“The most common reason for hip replacement is osteoarthritis, or the breakdown of cartilage on the surface of the hip joint,” says Halbrecht. “This rough cartilage causes inflammation and pain,” she adds, which can necessitate surgery when symptoms become unbearable.
While there are instances when a hip replacement may be unavoidable—for example, genetics, rheumatoid arthritis, or trauma to the area, such as a hip fracture—there are a number of steps you can take to ensure you keep your joint forever. Here, Halbrecht and other orthopeodic surgeons share their best healthy-hips advice.