Hip Replacement

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Hip

Your hip is a ball-and-socket joint that connects your femur (thigh bone) to your torso via your pelvis. It’s one of the largest joints in your body – the top of your femur (the ball in this particular joint) is roughly the size of a small apple. Your hip supports the weight of your upper body and allows you to move your upper leg.

The hip joint is usually very strong and stable, supported by strong ligaments, tendons and muscles. It’s not invulnerable though – traumatic injuries or degeneration over time can damage the hip.

Hip osteoarthritis

The bones within your hip joint are lined with smooth cartilage to allow the joint to move easily. When this cartilage breaks down, it causes pain and stiffness in the joint – a condition known as osteoarthritis of the hip.

This is a slow, degenerative condition that becomes more common as you get older. It runs in families and can be triggered by previous traumatic injuries.

Pain is the most common feature, though the exact nature of this varies from person to person.

Hip replacement

Total hip replacement is a surgical procedure to remove the damaged ball-and-socket joint and replace it with metal or ceramic components. A plastic liner is placed between the ball and socket to allow the joint to move easily.

Hip replacement has a long, established history. It’s most often done to treat hip osteoarthritis but it may also be done to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteonecrosis or a hip fracture.

Though there are various ways to access the hip joint, I prefer those that minimise the number of muscles that must be moved as this may promote a faster recovery.