What is a Hip Replacement

You have developed arthritis in your hip. The surfaces of the ball-and-socket joint between your thigh bone and pelvis bone are no longer smooth. The bones surfaces are rough and the cartilage lining has worn away. As a result, your hip is painful and stiff.

The Operation

You will have a general or spinal anaesthetic. A cut about 10 inches long is made along the side of your hip and thigh.

The damaged bone ends are removed. These are replaced with an artificial joint. The artificial hip consists of a ball on a stem, and a socket. The stem is fixed into your thigh bone, and the new socket into the space in your pelvis. The skin is then closed with stitches or clips.

There are many different types of artificial hips. Most have a metal ball in a plastic cup. Some are held in with special bone cement, some are not.

The Surgeon will explain the type he or she intends to use and the reasons for this choice. The aim of the operation is to stop the pain in your hip. The range of movement in your hip may not improve very much, but the pain should go. As a result you will be able to walk further and climb stairs more easily.