Total Hip Replacement in Long Island, NY — Dr. Douglas M. Petraco, MD
At Petraco Orthopedics, patients benefit from minimally invasive techniques, same-day surgery options, and a personalized approach from diagnosis through recovery. Many patients return home the same day as their procedure.
What Is Total Hip Replacement Surgery?
Total hip replacement, also called total hip arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure in which a damaged hip joint is replaced with an artificial implant. The procedure removes the worn cartilage and bone from the hip socket and the femoral head, replacing them with durable prosthetic components that replicate natural joint function.
Dr. Petraco commonly recommends total hip replacement for patients experiencing:
- Severe hip pain from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
- Hip fractures that cannot be repaired with other methods
- Avascular necrosis (bone death due to reduced blood supply)
- Failed prior hip procedures or progressive joint deterioration
- Significant loss of hip mobility that impacts daily function
Why Choose Dr. Petraco for Hip Replacement on Long Island?
Dr. Douglas M. Petraco brings decades of experience in total joint replacement to his patients on Long Island. A Yale and Cornell-trained surgeon, he completed an orthopedic residency at The Hospital for Joint Diseases/NYU Langone and a research fellowship in biomaterials and biomechanics. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and board-certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.
His clinical roles underscore his standing as one of Long Island’s leading hip surgeons:
- Director of the Orthopedic Surgery Department at St. Charles Hospital
- Orthopedic Service Line Director for Catholic Health Services
- Medical Director of Precision Care Surgery Center in East Setauket
As Medical Director of Precision Care Surgery Center, Dr. Petraco performs ambulatory hip replacement surgeries, enabling patients to return home approximately 3 hours after their procedure without an overnight hospital stay.
Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Techniques
Dr. Petraco specializes in minimally invasive and mini-incision hip replacement techniques that minimize disruption to surrounding muscles and soft tissues. Compared to traditional open approaches, these methods are associated with:
- Reduced post-operative pain
- Shorter hospital or surgery center stays
- Faster return to walking and daily activities
- Lower risk of certain complications
Advanced implant materials and precise surgical planning are integral to Dr. Petraco’s approach, ensuring each patient receives a prosthetic hip designed to support long-term function and durability.
Preoperative Evaluation and Surgical Planning
This comprehensive assessment enables Dr. Petraco to create a customized surgical plan tailored to your anatomy, lifestyle goals, and overall health. Patients are fully informed about what to expect before, during, and after surgery.
If you have questions about whether surgery is right for you, visit our hip replacement Long Island overview page for a broader look at your options.
Hip Replacement Recovery: What to Expect
Recovery from total hip replacement varies by patient, but Dr. Petraco’s approach emphasizes early mobilization and structured rehabilitation to support the best possible outcome. Most patients who undergo surgery at Precision Care Surgery Center in East Setauket return home the same day.
A personalized rehabilitation plan is developed for each patient, typically including:
- Guided physical therapy to restore hip strength and range of motion
- Progressive weight-bearing exercises
- Activity restrictions are designed to protect the new joint during healing
- Scheduled follow-up visits to monitor progress and implant function
Many patients resume light daily activities within weeks and return to more demanding activities within a few months, depending on individual recovery progress.