Total Hip Replacement

Simple activities like putting on your shoes, getting out of bed or walking shouldn't cause hip pain. Hip replacement surgery, also called total hip arthroplasty, from the team of orthopaedic surgeons at Southern Joint Replacement Institute can help when they do.

Total hip replacement could be the answer when other treatment options such as pain medication, exercise, and therapy don't provide the relief you need. Hip replacement surgery replaces all or part of your hip joint with custom-made materials that create an artificial joint called a prosthesis. The procedure can relieve your hip pain and improve your ability to walk, move and maintain independence.

During total hip replacement surgery, your orthopaedic surgeon will:

• Remove the damaged femoral head and replace it with a metal stem. The metal stem is then placed into the femur’s hollow center.
• Fit a metal or ceramic ball onto the stem to replace the damaged femoral head that was removed.
• Replace the damaged cartilage surface of the socket (acetabulum) with a metal socket.
• Place a ceramic, metal or plastic spacer between the new ball and the socket so the artificial components engage smoothly.

Although many patients are beginning to choose outpatient hip surgery and discharge within 24 hours, some may spend a day or two in the hospital before going home. In some cases, you may opt for a short inpatient stay at a rehabilitation facility to ease the transition as you return to independent living.

The result? You should have less hip pain and be walking freely around two months after your procedure.