Total Hip Replacement

Hip joint is a ball and socket joint. Total hip replacement consists of excising the ball (femoral head) and replacing this with a metal or ceramic one that is attached to a small metal stem. This stem is fixed into your thigh bone with or without the bone cement. Your socket (acetabulum) is also resurfaced by fixing an artificial metal or high quality plastic (polyethylene) socket into your original socket in the pelvis. Again the artificial socket may be fixed with or without the help of the bone cement. 

Total hip replacement is a very successful operation. With modern implant design and improved surgical techniques the success rate is quoted to be approximately 90% or more.

With improved technology and surgical techniques modern hip replacements should last for 10-15 years and may be even longer. However if you have it in younger age it may wear out earlier because of generally, the higher functional demands in this age group.

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If you have significant pain that is affecting your quality of life, your X-ray shows significant arthritis and your pain is not under control with other measures then you may decide to go for the hip replacement. The alternative and less invasive options are reducing weight, exercises, pain killers and walking aids. You can also try the steroid injections but the effect is variable and usually short lasting. 

When you come for the consultation, I normally discuss the various treatment options, their risks and benefits with you, which will help you to make an informed decision about your care. 

Useful links -https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/patient-care/recovering-from-surgery/total-hip-replacement/download-full-pdf-version/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/media/23141/hip-replacement-surgery-information-booklet.pdf