Hip Pain Solutions - from Conservative Care to Total Hip Replacement
Hip pain can make everyday life feel smaller—from walking and exercising to getting comfortable at night. At Atlantis Orthopaedics, we provide comprehensive hip care for patients across Palm Beach County, starting with a precise diagnosis and a personalized plan built around your goals. When appropriate, we begin with conservative options such as activity modification, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and other non-surgical treatments designed to reduce pain and improve function. If your hip arthritis or joint damage continues to limit your quality of life, we also offer advanced surgical solutions, including total hip replacement, to relieve pain, restore mobility, and help you return to the activities you enjoy. We offer:
- Conservative solutions like physical therapy and injections
- Minimally invasive hip surgery
- Bikini incision hip surgery
- Total hip replacement (hip arthroplasty)
- Hip revision surgery
At Atlantis Orthopaedics, Dr. Salvador Forte and Dr. Diego J. Lima are our hip replacement experts, providing personalized care for patients dealing with hip arthritis, joint damage, and persistent hip pain that limits everyday life. They start with a thorough evaluation and a plan focused on relieving pain and restoring mobility—often beginning with non-surgical options when appropriate. When hip replacement is the best path forward, Dr. Forte and Dr. Lima deliver experienced surgical care using modern techniques and evidence-based implants, guiding you through every step from pre-operative preparation to rehabilitation and recovery. Their goal is simple: help you return to walking, working, and enjoying the activities you love with greater comfort, stability, and confidence.
Salvador Forte, DO
Hip and Knee
Diego J. Lima, MD
Shoulder, Elbow
The Most Advanced Hip Replacement Options
Hip replacement surgery
Hip revision surgery
Total hip replacement
bikini incision hip replacement
Robotic hip replacement
Total joint replacement is a surgery where a damaged hip joint is removed and replaced with artificial parts (implants) designed to move smoothly. It’s usually recommended when arthritis or joint damage causes pain, stiffness, and loss of function that hasn’t improved with treatments like medications, injections, physical therapy, or activity changes. The goal is to relieve pain, improve mobility, and help you return to daily activities with better comfort and stability.
Hip replacement surgery is a common and highly effective procedure designed to relieve pain and restore mobility in patients with damaged hip joints. In most cases, the surgery itself typically takes about one to two hours to complete, although this can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the patient’s overall health. Additional time is also needed for preparation before surgery and recovery immediately afterward, so patients can expect to spend several hours at the surgical facility on the day of their procedure.
Recovery after hip replacement surgery is a gradual process that begins immediately after the procedure. Most patients are encouraged to stand and walk with assistance the same day or shortly after surgery, followed by a structured physical therapy program to restore strength and mobility. While many individuals resume light daily activities within a few weeks, full recovery can take several months depending on overall health and adherence to rehabilitation. With proper care, most patients experience significant pain relief and improved function, allowing them to return to an active lifestyle.
After hip replacement surgery, many patients use physical therapy and temporary assistive devices to support a safe and steady recovery. A walker or cane may be recommended at first to help with balance and reduce stress on the healing joint, while physical therapy focuses on restoring strength, flexibility, and mobility. The length of time each patient needs support can vary based on overall health, activity level, and progress after surgery.
Like any surgical procedure, total hip replacement carries some risks, although serious complications are relatively uncommon. Potential risks include infection, blood clots, dislocation of the joint, differences in leg length, and wear or loosening of the implant over time. Advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and postoperative care have significantly improved safety, and most patients experience successful outcomes with proper preparation and follow-up care.
Preparing for total hip replacement surgery is an important step in achieving a successful outcome and smooth recovery. Patients are typically advised to undergo a medical evaluation, review medications with their doctor, and make necessary adjustments at home to improve safety during recovery. This may include arranging support, removing tripping hazards, and setting up a comfortable space for rest. Taking these proactive steps can help reduce complications and support a faster return to daily activities.
A “bikini incision” hip replacement usually refers to an anterior hip replacement where the incision is made horizontally along the natural crease of the groin. Because it follows the skin fold, the scar may be less noticeable than a traditional vertical incision. It’s important to know that this is still a standard total hip replacement—the “bikini” term mainly describes where the incision is placed for cosmetic reasons, not a different implant or a completely different type of surgery. Whether this approach is right for you depends on your anatomy, condition, and your surgeon’s recommendation.
Modern hip replacement surgery incorporates advanced technologies designed to improve precision, safety, and patient outcomes. These may include computer-assisted navigation, robotic-assisted systems, and high-quality imaging that help surgeons accurately position implants and customize the procedure to each patient’s anatomy. Combined with minimally invasive techniques and improved implant materials, these innovations contribute to more reliable results, reduced recovery times, and better long-term function.
Hip osteoarthritis is a common cause of joint pain, especially as people age. It typically develops gradually and is often characterized by stiffness, aching pain in the groin or thigh, and discomfort that worsens with activity and improves with rest. Many patients also notice a reduced range of motion or difficulty with everyday movements like walking, bending, or standing for long periods. A proper evaluation, including a physical exam and imaging, can help determine if osteoarthritis is the source of your hip pain.
Robotic hip replacement is a hip replacement surgery where your surgeon uses a robotic-assisted system to help plan and position the implant more precisely.
- Before surgery: The team may use imaging (often a CT scan or other mapping method, depending on the system) to create a 3D plan of your hip.
- During surgery: The surgeon is still fully in control. The robotic system provides real-time guidance and may help the surgeon make bone cuts and place the implant according to the plan, while also allowing adjustments based on your hip’s alignment and stability.
- Why it’s used: The main goal is improved accuracy and consistency in implant positioning and alignment, which may help with hip function and feel for some patients.
- What it is not: The robot does not do the surgery by itself—think of it as a highly advanced guidance tool.
Whether robotic knee replacement is a good option depends on your anatomy, arthritis severity, overall health, and surgeon recommendation.
Hip revision surgery is a procedure to fix or replace parts of a hip replacement that’s no longer working well. It’s different from a first-time (primary) joint replacement because the surgeon is dealing with an existing implant and any changes to the bone or soft tissues around it.
Common reasons someone may need a revision include:
- Wear or loosening of the implant over time
- Infection around the joint replacement
- Dislocation/instability (more common in hips)
- Stiffness or ongoing pain that’s linked to the implant or surrounding tissue
- Fracture around the implant (periprosthetic fracture) after a fall or injury
- Implant failure or malposition (less common)
What happens in revision surgery?
Your surgeon may remove and replace one component (like the plastic liner) or multiple components (the metal parts), and may also address bone loss with specialized implants or bone grafting. Revision surgery is typically more complex than the original replacement, but the goal is the same: reduce pain, improve stability, and restore function.