Hip surgery

A complete guide to relief and recovery. A Total Hip Joint Replacement is a surgical procedure where an orthopaedic surgeon removes the damaged or worn-out parts of the hip joint and replaces them with artificial components. This surgery is commonly performed to relieve chronic pain and restore mobility in individuals suffering from severe arthritis, hip fractures, or other hip joint issues. Think of your hip joint as a "ball and socket" mechanism. During a Total Hip Joint Replacement, both the ball (the femoral head) and the socket (acetabulum) are replaced with smooth, durable, man-made parts. These artificial parts allow for easier, pain-free movement, dramatically improving your hip's function. Following a Total Hip Joint Replacement, most patients experience significant pain relief and improved mobility. With a good recovery, including physical therapy, you can regain your ability to walk, move, and enjoy daily activities with much less discomfort than before the surgery.

Individuals suffering with severe hip pain and disability, usually due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, or fractures. Those whose symptoms are not relieved by conservative measures (medication, physiotherapy, lifestyle changes).

(May vary with provider). Immediate (days 1–3): Mobilisation begins with physiotherapy, often weight-bearing as tolerated. Short-term (4–6 weeks): Walking with aids, return to basic daily activities. Medium-term (3–6 months): Improved strength, function, and reduced pain; many resume low-impact activities. Long-term (6–12 months): Full recovery for the majority of people, with continued functional gains. Implants typically last 15–20+ years.

Significant pain relief. Improved mobility, function, and independence. Enhanced quality of life. Long-lasting results in most patients.

General surgical risks: infection, bleeding, blood clots. Implant-specific risks: dislocation, leg length discrepancy, loosening/wear of the prosthesis, need for revision surgery. Rare but serious risks: nerve or blood vessel injury. This is just an outline. Your specialist orthopaedic surgeon will be able to talk to you about these issues in more detail and make sure that there is informed consent.

Understanding hemiarthroplasty. A Partial Hip Joint Replacement, also known as a hemiarthroplasty, is a surgical procedure where only the damaged portion of the hip joint is replaced with an artificial part. Unlike a total hip replacement, a Partial Hip Joint Replacement focuses solely on replacing the ball of the hip joint (the femoral head), while the socket (acetabulum) remains intact. This procedure is typically recommended to relieve pain, improve mobility, and restore function in individuals with specific hip injuries, such as a fractured femoral head. Because a Partial Hip Joint Replacement involves less extensive surgery than a total hip replacement, recovery may be quicker, allowing you to return to your daily activities sooner. For patients seeking pain relief and improved movement without undergoing a full joint replacement, a Partial Hip Joint Replacement can be an effective, less invasive option.

Individuals suffering with severe hip pain and disability, usually due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, or fractures where only one part of the hip joint is damaged. Those whose symptoms are not relieved by conservative measures (medication, physiotherapy, lifestyle changes).

(May vary with provider). Immediate (days 1–3): Mobilisation begins with physiotherapy, often weight-bearing as tolerated. Short-term (4–6 weeks): Walking with aids, return to basic daily activities. Medium-term (3–6 months): Improved strength, function, and reduced pain; many resume low-impact activities. Long-term (6–12 months): Full recovery for the majority of people, with continued functional gains. Implants typically last 15–20+ years.

Significant pain relief. Improved mobility, function, and independence. Enhanced quality of life. Long-lasting results in most patients.

General surgical risks: infection, bleeding, blood clots. Implant-specific risks: dislocation, leg length discrepancy, loosening/wear of the prosthesis, need for revision surgery. Rare but serious risks: nerve or blood vessel injury. This is just an outline. Your specialist orthopaedic surgeon will be able to talk to you about these issues in more detail and make sure that there is informed consent.

Addressing worn-out hip implants. A Revision Total Hip Replacement is a surgical procedure performed to replace or repair a failed or worn-out hip prosthesis from a previous hip replacement. Over time, hip implants can experience issues such as wear and tear, implant loosening, infection, or bone loss, which may require removal of the old prosthesis and placement of a new one. Since a Revision Total Hip Replacement is more complex than the initial surgery, it typically requires advanced techniques and longer recovery. This procedure is crucial for restoring mobility, reducing pain, and improving overall hip function when previous implants no longer perform effectively. If you're experiencing complications from a prior hip replacement, a Revision Total Hip Replacement can be an essential step in regaining comfort and movement.

This type of surgery is for patients with a previous total hip replacement that has failed or is causing significant symptoms. Common reasons: Implant loosening or wear (often after 10–20 years). Joint infection. Hip dislocation or instability. Fracture around the existing implant. Persistent pain or mechanical failure e.g broken implant.

(May vary with provider). Hospital stay: Usually longer than first-time hip joint replacement (4–7 days vs 2–4 days). Early recovery: Walking with support within a few days. Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy starts immediately; progress may be slower than primary hip replacement surgery. Return to normal function: 3–6 months, though full recovery may take up to 12 months depending on complexity and patient health.

Relief of hip pain. Improved mobility and quality of life. Correction of deformity or instability. Prevention of further joint or bone damage.

General surgical risks: infection, bleeding, blood clots. Implant-specific risks: dislocation, loosening/wear of the prosthesis, need for further revision surgery. Rare but serious risks: nerve or blood vessel injury. This is just an outline. Your specialist orthopaedic surgeon will be able to talk to you about these issues in more detail and make sure that there is informed consent.

A bone-preserving solution for hip pain. Hip resurfacing is a surgical procedure designed to relieve hip pain and improve mobility by preserving more of your natural bone. During hip resurfacing, the damaged surface of the hip joint is smoothed and covered with a durable metal cap, similar to placing a crown on a tooth. This allows the bones in the hip to move smoothly against each other again, reducing pain and enhancing ease of movement. Unlike a full hip replacement, where the entire hip joint is replaced, hip resurfacing retains more of the original bone structure, making it a popular option for younger, active individuals who want to maintain their active lifestyles while finding relief from hip pain. For those seeking a long-lasting solution with minimal bone loss, hip resurfacing can be an excellent alternative to a full hip replacement.

Usually younger, active patients (<60 years) with hip arthritis who want to maintain higher activity levels. Patients with good bone quality (especially strong femoral bone stock). More commonly considered for men (lower risk of complications compared to women of childbearing age). Not ideal for those with osteoporosis, poor bone quality, kidney problems, or small-framed individuals.

(May vary with provider). Hospital stay: Around 3–5 days. Early recovery: Weight-bearing is usually allowed immediately or within a few days. Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy to strengthen muscles and restore range of motion. Return to daily activities: approximately 6–12 weeks. Return to sport/high activity: Often possible after 6–12 months, depending on progress.

Preserves more of the patient’s natural bone compared to total hip replacement. Lower risk of dislocation (larger femoral head size). May allow higher activity levels and return to impact sports. Easier conversion to total hip replacement if revision is needed later.

Loosening or implant wear. Infection, blood clots, nerve injury. Revision surgery may be needed (often converted to total hip replacement). This is just an outline. Your specialist orthopaedic surgeon will be able to talk to you about these issues in more detail and make sure that there is informed consent.