Hip Replacement Surgery

Accident, injury and age can damage the hip, limiting its flexibility and making movement painful. The hip joint is basically a large ball-and-socket joint composed of two parts: the head of the thighbone, or femur; and the acetabulum, a cup-shaped bone in the pelvis. During hip replacement surgery, damaged portions of the hip are replaced with smooth, durable artificial surfaces to allow the joint to function properly.

There are two types of hip replacement surgeries: total hip replacement and hip resurfacing. An orthopaedic surgeon (a physician who specializes in joint and bone problems) will advise you about which treatment is right for you based on your specific case history.

Total Hip Replacement
During total hip replacement, also known as hip arthroplasty, both parts of the hip joint are removed and replaced. Usually, a high-density plastic cup replaces the hip socket, a metal ball replaces the femoral head, and a metal stem is inserted to connect the ball with the bone shaft.

Total hip replacement is usually performed because of an arthritic condition, especially osteoarthritis. An orthopaedic surgeon may also recommend total hip replacement in the case of avascular necrosis, a condition in which the bone of the ball portion of the hip joint dies. A severe hip fracture or dislocation (often caused by a fall) may also require total hip replacement.

Most total hip replacement candidates are older than 55. For younger patients, partial hip resurfacing may be a viable solution for alleviating chronic hip pain.

In evaluating total hip replacement, your surgeon will discuss several options with you, including:

1. Incision Type - Your surgeon may choose a minimally invasive procedure or one large incision;
2. Hardware - Based on your case history, your surgeon may recommend a specific design or material (metal or ceramic) for the new hip; and
3. Cement or cement-less - Depending on your lifestyle, your surgeon may decide to use a cemented or un-cemented prosthesis. Without cement, the bone has a better chance of growing into the roughened hardware. Younger patients are often candidates for this option.

For more information about Wright's total hip replacement products, click here. To learn more about Wright's ceramic hip replacement options, click here.

Partial Hip Resurfacing
Unlike a total hip replacement, partial hip resurfacing leaves more of your bone in place and does not require that the femur neck shaft be removed. During the procedure, usually only the femur head is reshaped and resurfaced with an artificial shell to help reduce pain and ensure joint stability. The chance of subsequent hip dislocation is also lower in this surgery than in a total hip replacement.

Partial hip resurfacing is generally used as an alternative to total hip replacement and is often suggested for active patients under the age of 55. Although patients who undergo resurfacing may still require a total hip replacement at a later date, this less traumatic procedure provides relief from chronic pain - and allows patients to wait for new technological improvements to emerge in total hip replacement materials and techniques.

For more information about Wright's partial hip replacement products, click here.