Total Hip Replacement


Total Hip Replacement is a surgical operation aiming to replace a damaged or diseased hip joint. The most common form of damage seen is arthritis.

The Total Hip Replacement will replace the damaged head of the femur with a stainless steel ball mounted on a system and relines the socket (acetabulum) with a special plastic polyethylene socket. In special cases, other types of stems (prosthesis) may be used and this is always at the discretion of your surgeon.

The new total joint aims to relieve pain, decrease stiffness and in most cases, restores your leg length – therefore helping to improve mobility.

THE PHASES OF A HIP REPLACEMENT

1. Ensure that you are fit for the operation.
2. Admit to hospital
   a) surgery and intensive care unit
   b) mobilise on crutches

3. Discharge home on crutches for 5 weeks; this is the period in which you recover from the operation. You do gentle exercises and give your body time to heal. This is not the time to race as the ultimate goal of surgery is a painfree hip that will last for decades. Therefore avoid cutting corners in the short term, as this may compromise the long term results.

4. Mobilise off the crutches at 6 weeks and get back to “normal”. Now is the time to up your exercise program.

5. Normal activities.
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