Persistent hip pain and difficulties with movement can greatly impact your day-to-day life. Whether the discomfort is ongoing or you find simple activities becoming increasingly hard, these symptoms often raise questions about what’s causing the problem and what to do next. For many people, taking a “Do I Need a Hip Replacement?” quiz is a helpful first step to understand whether surgery might be necessary or if other issues, such as bursitis, could be the cause. In this article, we’ll explain the early signs of hip problems, highlight common symptoms of arthritis, and answer the common question: “Do I need hip replacement or is it bursitis?” We’ll also guide you towards getting the right professional advice and outline your potential next steps.

Recognising When Hip Replacement May Be Needed

Spotting the signs of significant hip problems early can make a big difference. Common early symptoms of a failing hip include persistent pain that doesn’t improve with rest, stiffness, and a limited range of movement. You might find it hard to get out of a chair, notice a limp, or struggle with walking or climbing stairs. For some people—especially women—pain in the left hip, particularly at night, can interrupt sleep and affect quality of life.

It’s important to know that these symptoms can sometimes be confused with bursitis, which is inflammation of small, fluid-filled sacs near the hip joint. Hip bursitis typically causes tenderness on the hip’s outer edge, swelling, and sharp or burning pain when moving. Because bursitis shares similar symptoms with arthritis and muscle strains, distinguishing between them is key to getting the right treatment as soon as possible.

Osteoarthritis, a common cause of hip pain, happens when the cartilage cushioning the joint wears down over time. This leads to aching, stiffness, and reduced motion. While some people say they "cured their osteoarthritis in the hip" with certain therapies, results vary widely between patients. Some find relief with non-surgical treatments, but others may eventually require surgical options like hip replacement.

In fact, a major survey across England found that “need was greater in women than men, and increased from the wealthiest to the poorest groups,” revealing that certain populations experience higher levels of untreated hip problems (Steel et al., 2006). It’s also worth noting that having “a good knowledge of the biomechanics of the hip is essential to achieving better clinical outcomes” after treatment (Lee et al., 2019). In simple terms, understanding how the hip joint works helps doctors plan how best to fix it.

How a Hip Replacement Quiz Can Help You

If you’re unsure about your hip pain, taking an online hip replacement quiz can give you a clearer picture of your symptoms. Such quizzes usually ask about how often and how severely you feel pain, your ability to carry out daily tasks, how your sleep is affected, and how long these issues have been present.

These questions cover important aspects, such as whether the pain is constant or only during movement, whether it impacts your sleep (addressing concerns like how to relieve hip pain while sleeping), or if your mobility has declined so much that you struggle to walk comfortably. This helps differentiate between problems best managed by surgery and those like bursitis that might respond well to other treatments.

However, it’s important to remember that “people living in the North of England, women and less wealthy groups experience higher levels of need, yet do not receive proportionally more hip replacements” (Steel et al., 2006). This suggests that access to surgery may not always reflect who truly needs it.

While quizzes can be a useful guide, they cannot replace a full examination by a healthcare professional who can give an accurate diagnosis and recommend the best treatment plan.

What to Do After the Quiz: Professional Advice and Treatment Options

Once you complete a hip replacement quiz, knowing what to do next is crucial. If your results suggest you might benefit from surgery, it’s important to see an experienced specialist who can confirm the diagnosis and explain all available options—including both surgical and non-surgical approaches.

Professor Paul Lee is a highly skilled expert in orthopaedics and rehabilitation who offers personalised assessments and treatment plans. MSK Doctors provide excellent, professional care to support patients at every stage of their recovery journey.

For some, non-surgical treatments focusing on exercise, therapy, and lifestyle changes will be appropriate. It’s important to understand which hip replacement exercises to avoid and the reasons why some people may decide not to have surgery. If bursitis is the cause, quick healing depends on knowing how to manage it properly and what activities may worsen symptoms.

A clear grasp of how the hip moves and functions—its biomechanics—is vital to planning effective treatment and improving long-term outcomes (Lee et al., 2019).

Addressing Common Concerns About Hip Replacement

Many people have questions and worries about hip replacement surgery. One common concern is about the risk of death associated with the procedure. Although any surgery carries some risk, modern techniques and thorough evaluations mean the risk is generally low. Still, “some studies don’t account for all risk factors like anaemia or blood loss, which can affect outcomes; this underlines the need for careful individual assessment” (Metcalfe et al., 2016).

Another frequent question relates to age. The average age for women having hip replacements is usually in their mid to late sixties, but people both younger and older may also need surgery depending on their circumstances.

Long-term recovery involves exercises to maintain strength and flexibility, so professional guidance is essential to ensure these are done safely.

Many patients look back thinking, “What I wish I knew before hip replacement surgery,” often referring to the importance of understanding recovery, setting realistic expectations, and having a supportive medical team. Because every person’s situation is different, it’s vital to get medical advice tailored just for you and maintain ongoing care.

Conclusion

If persistent hip pain or mobility problems are affecting your life, taking a structured quiz can be a valuable first step in understanding your situation. However, remember that the quiz results should always be discussed with a specialist, such as those at MSK Doctors, led by Professor Paul Lee, who can offer expert, personalised guidance.

For individual advice and treatment, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

References

Steel, N., Melzer, D., Gardener, E., & McWilliams, B. (2006). Need for and receipt of hip and knee replacement—a national population survey. Rheumatology, 45(11), 1437-1441. https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/kel131

Lee, Y-K., Choi, J.H., Won, H., & Koo, K-H. (2019). Biomechanics of Hip and Hip Replacement Arthroplasty. The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association, 54(5), 377. https://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2019.54.5.377

Metcalfe, D., Perry, D. C., & Costa, M. L. (2016). Hip Fracture Surgery vs Elective Total Hip Replacement. JAMA, 315(9), 941. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.17852