Total Hip Replacement

This surgery aims to relieve pain. Pain occurs when the damaged surfaces of your hip joint grind against each other when you walk. The most common causes of damage to the hip joint surfaces are osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Total Hip Replacement surgery replaces your damaged surfaces with a new artificial joint.

Do you need surgery?

Total Hip Replacement is recommended for people with severe joint degenerative disease who are experiencing disabling hip pain that has not improved with pain medication, physiotherapy or activity modification. Your surgeon can help you decide when and whether this surgery is likely to provide pain relief and enable you to resume your regular activities.

What happens during surgery?

We use a minimally invasive surgical incision to reduce trauma to the healthy tissue surrounding your hip joint. The incision is made along the side of your hip. The head portion (ball) of the femur is removed and an artificial one is inserted into or onto your thighbone. Damaged cartilage of the socket portion of the pelvis is then removed and an artificial one is inserted. The ligaments are reattached. Your skin may be closed using glue rather than staples for minimal scarring.

What could go wrong?

Very few patients experience complications relating to Total Hip Replacement surgery – less than 1% of patients acquire a deep infection in the joint. Other potential, but unlikely complications, are blood clots, hip dislocation, leg length difference, nerve or blood vessel injury, and risks of anaesthesia. 95% of hip replacements last more than 10 years. It is important to discuss risks and voice any concerns you may have with your surgeon before having surgery.

Participating in your rehabilitation

Preparation for your recovery begins before your surgery. Being overweight increases surgical risk. Aim to be a healthy body weight, keep active and strengthen your leg muscles in the lead up to surgery. Physiotherapy may begin the day of, or the day after surgery. Aims include minimising pain, assisting you to get in and out of bed, walk using crutches, and to negotiate stairs. You will also receive advice to minimise the risk of a fall or dislocation of your new hip. Your stay in hospital may be 2-5 nights. Be involved and positive during therapy, continue this at home, and when visiting your local Physiotherapist. For 1 month after surgery, you must avoid excessive bending, pivoting or twisting on your operated leg.

Benefits you can expect

95% of patients who walked without an aid prior to surgery can do so again in less than 3 months. 89% of our pa-tients are pain-free or have only mild pain (<3/10) a year after the operation and 87% report good hip function (OHS>34). We welcome you to view our live feedback from patients who have received Total Hip Replacements at The Joint Studio.