Hip replacement surgery is a procedure in which a doctor surgically removes a painful hip joint and replaces the worn-out bone and cartilage with an artificial joint (implant). The replacement joint is usually made from metal, ceramic, and very hard plastic. Another name for hip replacement is hip arthroplasty.
During a partial hip replacement, your surgeon will replace only one side of your hip joint (the rounded top of your thigh bone, called the femoral head). This procedure is usually only done to repair certain kinds of hip fractures or to remove some types of tumors.
During a total hip replacement, your surgeon will replace your entire hip with an artificial joint. Both the top of your thigh bone (femur) and the socket it fits into (acetabulum) are replaced. Nearly all hip replacements are total hip replacements.
Painful conditions such as arthritis can make it hard to stand, walk, or participate in everyday activities. Hip replacement surgery is usually done when all other treatment options have failed to provide enough pain relief from arthritis. These may include medication, physical therapy, or using a cane or walker. The new hip joint should help relieve pain and make walking easier.
Arthritis is the most common cause of hip pain and the reason most people seek hip replacement surgery for relief. There are many types of arthritis that can affect the hip. These include:
- Osteoarthritis: Often called the “wear-and-tear” kind of arthritis, osteoarthritis destroys the cartilage on the ends of bones that helps your joints move smoothly.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: A disease that causes your immune system to attack the lining of your joints.
Osteonecrosis is a painful condition that happens when something blocks the blood flow to one of your bones. Blood is necessary for new bone tissue to grow and replace old bone tissue as it breaks down and dies. This cycle is a normal part of a healthy skeletal system. Osteonecrosis often targets the hip, which can put you at risk for a hip fracture or dislocation (when the hip is no longer properly aligned in the joint). Osteonecrosis can damage your hip joint to the extent that a hip replacement is recommended.
