Hip Replacement Surgery Types

What is hip replacement surgery?

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. This type of joint allows a good range of movement in any direction.

The ball of the hip joint is known as the femoral head, and is located at the top of the thigh bone (the femur). This rotates within a hollow, or socket, in the pelvis, called the acetabulum.

Hip replacement surgery involves removing parts of the hip joint that are causing problems – usually the ball and socket – and replacing them with new parts made from metal, plastic or ceramic.

The most common reason for having a hip replacement is osteoarthritis. Other possible reasons include rheumatoid arthritis, a hip fracture or hip dysplasia; a condition where the hip joint hasn’t developed properly.

Many thousands of people have hip replacement surgery each year. It usually brings great benefits in terms of reduced pain, improved mobility and a better quality of life.

But as with all surgery it’s important to think about the possible risks and to discuss them with your surgeon before you decide to go ahead.

Traditional Hip Replacement

To perform a traditional hip replacement:

• A 10- to 12-inch incision is made on the side of the hip. The muscles are split or detached from the hip, allowing the hip to be dislocated and fully viewed by the surgical team.
• The damaged femoral head is removed and replaced with a metal stem that is placed into the hollow center of the femur, then a metal or ceramic ball is placed on the upper part of the stem. This ball replaces the damaged femoral head that was removed.
• The damaged cartilage surface of the socket (acetabulum) is removed and replaced with a metal socket. Screws or cement are sometimes used to hold the socket in place.
• A plastic, ceramic or metal spacer is inserted between the new ball and the socket to allow for a smooth gliding surface.

What Happens During Hip Replacement Surgery?

Hip replacement surgery can be performed traditionally or by using what is considered a minimally-invasive technique. The main difference between the two procedures is the size of the incision.

During standard hip replacement surgery, you are given general anesthesia to relax your muscles and put you into a temporary deep sleep. This will prevent you from feeling any pain during the surgery or have any awareness of the procedure. A spinal anesthetic may be given to help prevent pain as an alternative.

What Can I Do at Home After Hip Replacement Surgery?

There are a few simple measures that you can take to make life easier when you return home after hip replacement surgery, including:

• Keep stair climbing to a minimum. Make the necessary arrangements so that you will only have to go up and down the steps once or twice a day.
• Sit in a firm, straight-back chair. Recliners should not be used.
• To help avoid falls, remove all throw rugs and keep floors and rooms clutter free.
• Use an elevated toilet seat. This will help keep you from bending too far at the hips.
• Keep enthusiastic pets away until you have healed completely.

What are the benefits of hip replacement surgery?

Most people who have hip replacements notice an improvement in their overall quality of life and mobility.

Freedom from pain is often the main benefit of surgery. You should expect to have some pain from the surgery to begin with, but you’ll be given medication to help with this. Pain from the surgery itself should start to ease within the first two weeks after the operation. However, some people will have longer-term pain and, in some cases, this may need further treatment.

You can expect to have some improvement in mobility as well, although a hip replacement may not give quite as much mobility as a healthy natural hip joint. You may find it easier to move simply because there’s less pain. But you’ll probably have a greater improvement if you take an active part in your recovery – for example, by regularly doing the exercises recommended for you.

Some people find that one leg feels longer than the other after the operation. Sometimes this may be because you’ve become used to walking in a way that eases the load on your painful hip. If this is the case, physiotherapy should help. If there is a real difference in leg length, this may need to be corrected with a shoe insert or insole.