Hip replacement surgery: All you need to know

Hip replacement surgery (hip arthroplasty) involves removing a damaged or diseased hip joint and replacing it with an artificial implant. This surgery reduces pain and improves mobility in patients with lingering symptoms of hip osteoarthritis. The most common type of this surgery is a total hip replacement, in which the acetabulum (hip socket) and the head of the femur (the “ball” of the hip joint) is replaced.

What is Hip Replacement Surgery?

A hip replacement surgery is usually successful with reliable results. The new hip performs the same function as the normal hip and significantly improves the quality of life. With a total hip replacement, part of the pelvis and the head of the femur are completely removed. They are replaced by similar-looking implants. That is, a cup serving as a socket and a ball serving as a femoral head. A metal rod is inserted into the femur to help secure the new head.
The surgery is called a partial hip replacement (hemiarthroplasty) when a prosthesis replaces only the femoral head.

Hip replacement is performed by an orthopaedic surgeon.

Various hip replacement surgery techniques

There are some variations on how a surgeon can perform hip replacement surgery:

Posterior approach:

This is the most commonly used method. You are operated on lying on your side while an incision is made near your buttocks, on the outside of the hip. The muscle is cut to reach the hip joint.

A lateral approach:

This is essentially the same as the posterior approach. Except the incision is made closer to the front of the body (rather than the buttocks), outside of the hip.

Direct anterior approach:

You lie on your back and the incision is made on the front side of the thigh. This is sometimes called muscle-sparing hip replacement because the surgeon bypasses (instead of cutting) the muscle to reach the hip joint.

Purpose of Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip replacement is recommended in cases where the hip joint has been compromised due to the following:

• Osteoarthritis of the hip
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Injury/fracture
• Hip osteonecrosis: When blood flow to a bone is reduced and bone tissue dies as a result.8

The damaged or diseased parts of the hip joint are replaced to:

• Reduce persistent hip pain
• Improve joint mobility
• Restore confidence and ease of movement for a better quality of life