BOSS ORTHOPAEDICSPatrick Pallitto, M.D.
BOSS ORTHOPAEDICSPatrick Pallitto, M.D.
Procedure
Total hip replacement (total hip arthroplasty) removes the damaged ball-and-socket surfaces of an arthritic hip and replaces them with smooth, durable implant components — relieving pain and restoring the joint's natural range of motion. Dr. Patrick Pallitto performs primary and revision hip replacement for patients across Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort, SC, using the direct anterior approach for nearly all cases.
Postoperative X-ray, total hip replacement (anteroposterior view).
Understanding Hip Arthritis
Many patients try nonsurgical treatment — physical therapy, medication, injections — before considering hip replacement. Dr. Pallitto reviews these options with every patient first.
Hip replacement is generally considered when hip pain significantly limits daily activities and nonsurgical treatment no longer provides adequate relief.
The direct anterior approach accesses the hip joint through the front of the hip, working between muscles rather than cutting through them — a technique associated with less muscle disruption for many patients. The posterior approach, more traditional, accesses the joint from the back of the hip.
What to Expect
Surgery typically takes around 1 hour. Damaged joint surfaces are replaced with implant components sized and positioned to restore natural hip mechanics.
Most patients go home the same day or spend one night in the hospital.
Pain is managed with a combination of medications immediately after surgery. See our general discharge instructions for more detail.
Most patients begin walking with assistance just a few hours after surgery — early movement is one of the best predictors of a smooth recovery.
Recovery
Every patient's recovery timeline is different. Physical therapy plays a central role in regaining strength and range of motion.
Today's hip implants are built to last, and for most patients a hip replacement should last the rest of their life. Longevity depends on implant type, activity level, and individual factors.
As with any surgery, hip replacement carries risks, which may include infection, blood clots, dislocation, leg length differences, implant wear or loosening over time, and nerve or blood vessel injury. Dr. Pallitto discusses your individual risk factors during consultation.
If another doctor has recommended hip replacement and you'd like to confirm the diagnosis or compare your options first, Dr. Pallitto offers second-opinion visits — with no commitment to surgery.
If a prior hip replacement is causing pain, instability, or has worn over time, Dr. Pallitto provides evaluation and revision surgery to restore function.
Good to Know
There's no age cutoff. Candidacy is based on your symptoms and how much hip pain is limiting your daily life — not your age.
There's no age cutoff. Candidacy is based on your symptoms and how much hip pain is limiting your daily life — not your age.
Most patients go home the same day as surgery or spend one night in the hospital.
Yes. Physical therapy begins the day of surgery, and in-home physical therapy begins once you're home. Outpatient physical therapy is added based on your specific recovery path.
Dr. Pallitto uses the direct anterior approach for nearly all of his hip replacement cases. It accesses the joint through the front of the hip, working between muscles rather than cutting through them.
Where We Practice