Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsPurposeHow to PrepareWhat to ExpectRecoveryLong-Term Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Purpose
How to Prepare
What to Expect
Recovery
Long-Term Care
Hip replacement surgery (hip arthroplasty) involves removing a damaged or diseased hip joint and replacing it with an artificial implant. This may be made from plastic, metal, and ceramic parts.
This surgery is most often done to decrease pain and improve mobility in individuals withhip osteoarthritissymptoms that have not resolved with conservative treatment.
The most common type of this surgery is a total hip replacement, in which bothacetabulum(hip socket) and the head of thefemur(the “ball” of the hip joint) are replaced.
This article discusses what hip replacement surgery is, how to prepare, and what to expect.
Why Material Matters With Hip Replacement
What Is Hip Replacement Surgery?
Hip replacement surgery is considered a highly successful procedure with reliable outcomes.The new hip functions similar to a normal hip and can significantly improve an individual’s quality of life.
Types of hip replacement surgery:
What Is Same-Day Hip Replacement Surgery?Same-day hip replacement allows an individual to have a hip prosthesis placed in an ambulatory setting without having to stay overnight. It is also calledrapid-recovery hip replacement, as it allows for quicker healing.
What Is Same-Day Hip Replacement Surgery?
Same-day hip replacement allows an individual to have a hip prosthesis placed in an ambulatory setting without having to stay overnight. It is also calledrapid-recovery hip replacement, as it allows for quicker healing.
Various Surgery Techniques
There are a few variations in terms of how a surgeon may perform a hip replacement surgery:
Some techniques may be more appropriate for you than others, and discussion about which approach your surgeon wants to use—and why—is worthwhile.
An Overview of Hip Replacement Surgery
Implant Options
Hip implant options fall into two categories:
These pieces may be plastic, metal, ceramic, or a combination. A spacer is placed between the two components to allow them to move easily.
Some implants may be secured with acrylic cement or screws, others press-fit (essentially pushed into place so that new tissue that can hold it can grow).
There are pros and cons to all of these options, and varying levels of durability.
What Type of Hip Replacement Implant Is Best?
Contraindications
Certain medical circumstances can make this surgery contraindicated. An active infection and severeosteoporosisare two examples.
Since these implants do wear out over time,having the surgery at a young agemeans it is likely that you will need to have it redone at some point.Older age can sometimes be an exclusion factor for a hip replacement in cases where the risks of surgery are too great.
Your healthcare provider will make a judgement about the safety and need of a hip replacement in your specific case after considering your medical history, imaging of your hip, lifestyle, commitment to recovery, and more.
Knee Replacement in Young Patients
Potential Risks
Hip replacement surgery may pose certain risks, or increased levels of risks, depending on your health status.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Generally speaking, possible risks of hip replacement include:
There is also the possibility ofhip implant loosening, persistent symptoms, or thatrevision surgerymay be needed.
Fortunately, only 4% of adults who undergo hip replacement surgery experience complications.
Research suggests that the most common complication of hip replacement surgery is joint stiffness.
What Are the First Signs of Needing a Hip Replacement Surgery?
If you have tried other treatments to address your symptoms without success, and they are significantly impacting your day-to-day, your healthcare provider may suggest hip replacement.
Such measures include pain medication, activity modifications, physical therapy, and the use ofwalking aids(such as a walker).
Hip replacement may be recommended in cases where the hip joint has been compromised due to:
About 85% of hip replacement patients have good results after 20 years.The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons calls the surgery “one of the most successful operations in all of medicine.”
Preparation for hip replacement surgery begins weeks before your procedure.
Among some of the suggestions your healthcare provider may give you:
Hip replacement surgery costs between $30,000 and $112,000 in the United States, without insurance.
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
A hip replacement surgery typically takes about one to two hours.
Despite the different surgical approaches that can be used, the steps of a hip replacement surgery are basically the same.
Some individuals may be discharged to a nursing orrehabilitation facilityif the surgeon believes they need extra time and help recovering.
Hip Replacement Surgery Recovery Timeline
The recovery from hip replacement surgery typically lasts two to four weeks, but it may be longer for some individuals.
In terms of recovery:
Recovery Tips
A hip replacement’s success is largely owed to the rehabilitation period that follows the surgery.
Be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s specific instructions, which may include:
Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice any possiblesigns of infection. This may include fever, redness at the incision site, as well as blood clots, which may look like new or increased swelling of the leg that doesn’t improve with elevation.
As you enjoy days with less pain and more ease of movement, remember to take steps to protect the integrity of your replacement and reduce the risk of injury:
How Long Do Hip Replacements Last?Estimates vary depending on the studies, but hip replacements can last anywhere between 15 to 25 years.After that time, it’s possible that your healthcare provider may recommend that your implant be replaced.
How Long Do Hip Replacements Last?
Estimates vary depending on the studies, but hip replacements can last anywhere between 15 to 25 years.After that time, it’s possible that your healthcare provider may recommend that your implant be replaced.
Hip Replacement Surgery: Long-Term Care
A Word From Verywell
Hip replacement is a major surgery, and deciding to have one is a big decision.
As you weigh the possible risks, also consider the possible consequences ofdelaying this surgery. Ask your healthcare provider whatever questions you need to feel comfortable about your choice to proceed or not.
If you are under age 60,hip resurfacing—in which less bone is removed—may be analternative optionworth asking about, as it is easier to revise, if needed.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hospital for Special Surgery.Hip Replacement.Hospital for Special Surgery.Outpatient Hip Replacement Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions.Johns Hopkins Health.Total Hip Replacement: Anterior Approach.Bayliss LE, Culliford D, Monk AP, et al.The effect of patient age at intervention on risk of implant revision after total replacement of the hip or knee: a population-based cohort study.Lancet. 2017;389(10077):1424-1430. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30059-4Boniello AJ, Simon MS, Emenari CC, Courtney PM.Complications and mortality following total hip arthroplasty in the octogenarians: An analysis of a national database.J Arthroplasty. 2018;33(7S):S167-S171. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2017.08.030Foran, J.Total Hip Replacement. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Heo SM, Harris I, Naylor J, Lewin AM.Complications to 6 months following total hip or knee arthroplasty: observations from an Australian clinical outcomes registry.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2020;21(1):602. doi:10.1186/s12891-020-03612-8Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Chartbook on Patient Safety. National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report. Updated October 2018.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Hip Replacement Surgery.American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.Total joint replacement: a breakdown of costs.University of California San Francisco.Recovering from Hip Replacement Surgery.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hip replacement recovery: q&a with a hip specialist.Zhang X, Shi G, Sun X, Zheng W, Lin X, Chen G.Factors influencing the outcomes of artificial hip replacements.Cells Tissues Organs(Print). 2018;206(4-5):254-262. doi:10.1159/000500518Evans JT, Evans JP, Walker RW, Blom AW, Whitehouse MR, Sayers A.How long does a hip replacement last? A systematic review and meta-analysis of case series and national registry reports with more than 15 years of follow-up.Lancet. 2019;393(10172):647-654. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31665-9
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hospital for Special Surgery.Hip Replacement.Hospital for Special Surgery.Outpatient Hip Replacement Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions.Johns Hopkins Health.Total Hip Replacement: Anterior Approach.Bayliss LE, Culliford D, Monk AP, et al.The effect of patient age at intervention on risk of implant revision after total replacement of the hip or knee: a population-based cohort study.Lancet. 2017;389(10077):1424-1430. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30059-4Boniello AJ, Simon MS, Emenari CC, Courtney PM.Complications and mortality following total hip arthroplasty in the octogenarians: An analysis of a national database.J Arthroplasty. 2018;33(7S):S167-S171. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2017.08.030Foran, J.Total Hip Replacement. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Heo SM, Harris I, Naylor J, Lewin AM.Complications to 6 months following total hip or knee arthroplasty: observations from an Australian clinical outcomes registry.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2020;21(1):602. doi:10.1186/s12891-020-03612-8Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Chartbook on Patient Safety. National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report. Updated October 2018.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Hip Replacement Surgery.American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.Total joint replacement: a breakdown of costs.University of California San Francisco.Recovering from Hip Replacement Surgery.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hip replacement recovery: q&a with a hip specialist.Zhang X, Shi G, Sun X, Zheng W, Lin X, Chen G.Factors influencing the outcomes of artificial hip replacements.Cells Tissues Organs(Print). 2018;206(4-5):254-262. doi:10.1159/000500518Evans JT, Evans JP, Walker RW, Blom AW, Whitehouse MR, Sayers A.How long does a hip replacement last? A systematic review and meta-analysis of case series and national registry reports with more than 15 years of follow-up.Lancet. 2019;393(10172):647-654. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31665-9
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hospital for Special Surgery.Hip Replacement.Hospital for Special Surgery.Outpatient Hip Replacement Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions.Johns Hopkins Health.Total Hip Replacement: Anterior Approach.Bayliss LE, Culliford D, Monk AP, et al.The effect of patient age at intervention on risk of implant revision after total replacement of the hip or knee: a population-based cohort study.Lancet. 2017;389(10077):1424-1430. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30059-4Boniello AJ, Simon MS, Emenari CC, Courtney PM.Complications and mortality following total hip arthroplasty in the octogenarians: An analysis of a national database.J Arthroplasty. 2018;33(7S):S167-S171. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2017.08.030Foran, J.Total Hip Replacement. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Heo SM, Harris I, Naylor J, Lewin AM.Complications to 6 months following total hip or knee arthroplasty: observations from an Australian clinical outcomes registry.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2020;21(1):602. doi:10.1186/s12891-020-03612-8Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Chartbook on Patient Safety. National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report. Updated October 2018.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Hip Replacement Surgery.American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.Total joint replacement: a breakdown of costs.University of California San Francisco.Recovering from Hip Replacement Surgery.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hip replacement recovery: q&a with a hip specialist.Zhang X, Shi G, Sun X, Zheng W, Lin X, Chen G.Factors influencing the outcomes of artificial hip replacements.Cells Tissues Organs(Print). 2018;206(4-5):254-262. doi:10.1159/000500518Evans JT, Evans JP, Walker RW, Blom AW, Whitehouse MR, Sayers A.How long does a hip replacement last? A systematic review and meta-analysis of case series and national registry reports with more than 15 years of follow-up.Lancet. 2019;393(10172):647-654. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31665-9
Hospital for Special Surgery.Hip Replacement.
Hospital for Special Surgery.Outpatient Hip Replacement Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions.
Johns Hopkins Health.Total Hip Replacement: Anterior Approach.
Bayliss LE, Culliford D, Monk AP, et al.The effect of patient age at intervention on risk of implant revision after total replacement of the hip or knee: a population-based cohort study.Lancet. 2017;389(10077):1424-1430. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30059-4
Boniello AJ, Simon MS, Emenari CC, Courtney PM.Complications and mortality following total hip arthroplasty in the octogenarians: An analysis of a national database.J Arthroplasty. 2018;33(7S):S167-S171. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2017.08.030
Foran, J.Total Hip Replacement. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.
Heo SM, Harris I, Naylor J, Lewin AM.Complications to 6 months following total hip or knee arthroplasty: observations from an Australian clinical outcomes registry.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2020;21(1):602. doi:10.1186/s12891-020-03612-8
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Chartbook on Patient Safety. National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report. Updated October 2018.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Hip Replacement Surgery.
American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.Total joint replacement: a breakdown of costs.
University of California San Francisco.Recovering from Hip Replacement Surgery.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hip replacement recovery: q&a with a hip specialist.
Zhang X, Shi G, Sun X, Zheng W, Lin X, Chen G.Factors influencing the outcomes of artificial hip replacements.Cells Tissues Organs(Print). 2018;206(4-5):254-262. doi:10.1159/000500518
Evans JT, Evans JP, Walker RW, Blom AW, Whitehouse MR, Sayers A.How long does a hip replacement last? A systematic review and meta-analysis of case series and national registry reports with more than 15 years of follow-up.Lancet. 2019;393(10172):647-654. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31665-9
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