Hip replacement surgery
can change the lives of people who have suffered through years of hip pain and discomfort. Surgery can relieve pain and increase mobility.
The hip joint is a “ball and socket” joint in the upper portion of the femur (thigh bone). A diseased hip joint can cause extreme pain and limit mobility. A hip replacement is a surgical procedure that removes the degenerated hip joint and replaces both the ball and/or socket with artificial parts. The parts are usually anchored in the bone of the thigh and pelvis.
Conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lack of blood supply to the bone, external trauma, joint infection, and bone tumors can lead to the breakdown of the hip joint. Before a hip replacement is performed, most people will try using non-surgical therapies, including canes and other walking aids, medications, and physical therapy. If these therapies fail to relieve pain and improve mobility in the hip joint, hip replacement surgery may be advised.
In the past, some artificial hip joints weren’t able to withstand large amounts of stress and strain and tended to wear down with constant activity. Today's versions are sturdier with better wear characteristics, making them suitable for more active people.
Artificial hips have 3 parts:
The stem of most hip implants is made of metal alloys. The ball portions are made of metal or ceramic materials. In some artificial hips, the stem and ball are one piece. The socket can be made of metal, plastic, or a combination of both materials.
You and your doctor will choose an artificial hip that meets your individual needs. Factors to consider include your:
While hip replacements successfully relieve pain and restore movement, future surgery may be needed as the implant wears. The majority of implant devices last approximately 20 years before they require replacement.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
http://www.niams.nih.gov
Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org
Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
http://www.canorth.org
Elective total hip arthroplasty. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T566765/Elective-total-hip-arthroplasty. Updated July 28, 2017. Accessed January 29, 2018.
Questions and answers about hip replacement. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Hip_Replacement/. Updated July 2013. Accessed January 7, 2016.
Total hip replacement. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00377. Updated August 2015. Accessed January 29, 2018.
Last reviewed January 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Michael Woods, MD, FAAP Last Updated: 2/6/2014
