Hip replacement

The hip joint consists of the upper end of the leg bone (femur), which has a rounded head (femoral head) that fits into a socket (acetabulum) in the pelvis. Movements such as walking, bending and turning require the use of this joint. When your hip becomes diseased or injured, the resulting pain can severely limit your ability to move and work.

Treating hip pain

At our hospitals, we offer a variety of treatments for hip pain through our comprehensive joint care programs. Medication and nonsurgical treatments are typically prescribed before your orthopedic hip specialist recommends hip replacement surgery, depending on the level of damage to your hip.

A hip replacement may be suggested to treat conditions such as:

• Avascular necrosis (AVN), a condition in which the femoral head has lost its healthy supply of blood flow, causing the bone to die and become misshapen
• Hip dysplasia, a condition in which bones around the hip did not form properly, which may cause misalignment of the hip joint
• Osteoarthritis (OA), also called “wear and tear” arthritis, in which cartilage wears down over time
• Post-traumatic arthritis, which results from a severe fracture or dislocation of the hip
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory arthritis of the hip joint

Hip replacement surgery involves replacing damaged parts of the hip joint with artificial, implanted components called prostheses. These can be made of various materials. Your surgeon will select the appropriate implants for you based on your age, activity level and anatomy.

Total hip replacement surgery

During a total hip replacement surgery, the damaged hip joint is removed and replaced with a prosthetic joint. The artificial joint consists of a cup and liner placed in the socket of the pelvis and a femoral component with a femoral head and stem. Your hip surgeon precisely positions these components, which is critical for proper biomechanical reconstruction of the hip.

Robotic total hip replacement surgery

As part of our dedication to advanced orthopedic care, we are pleased to offer robot-assisted surgery for total hip replacement candidates. This robotic technology allows your hip surgeon extreme precision and intraoperative guidance while placing implants.

First, your surgeon will order a computed tomography (CT) scan of your hip one or two weeks before your surgery. This CT scan will then be loaded into the robotic system's software to produce a 3D model of your hip joint. Your surgeon uses this model to create a preoperative surgical plan for your procedure.

During the robotic total hip replacement, a robotic arm, with the assistance of the 3D model, guides your surgeon in preparing the bones for the implants. Additionally, real-time information and images allow your surgeon to make adjustments to your plan during surgery. These real-time images help control exact placement of implants, reducing the likelihood of a hip dislocation.

Partial hip replacement

During a partial hip replacement, your surgeon replaces only the femoral head of the hip joint with a prosthetic implant. The original cup of the hip socket remains intact.

Anterior approach to hip replacement

In addition to the traditional posterior approach, our hip surgeons offer the anterior approach to hip replacement. This involves making an incision on the front of the hip instead of on the back of the hip. This technique allows the surgeon to easily spare health tissues, making it a less invasive procedure.

After hip replacement surgery, our goal is to help you get up and moving to promote a quick and healthy recovery. To do this, we will begin physical therapy and rehabilitation in the hospital as soon as you are able. Our physical therapists will create a personalized therapy regimen to help you begin using your new joint.

When to call your doctor after hip replacement surgery

Your hip specialist will provide you with postoperative care instructions. It is important that you follow your doctor's guidelines and instructions to ensure a successful hip replacement recovery.

Once at home, please call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• An increase in hip pain
• Fever of 100.4 F or higher
• Pain or swelling in the calf or leg
• Shaking chills
• Unusual redness, heat or drainage at the incision site

Additionally, if you have trouble breathing or chest pain, call 911.