Hip Replacement

What is a hip replacement?

A hip replacement is a procedure in which the damaged portions of the hip are removed and replaced with an artificial implant.

This is usually performed under a regional anaesthetic (which numbs you from the waist down) or occasionally under a general anaesthetic (in which you are put to sleep).

MR Wheelton makes an incision over the side of the thigh and uses a tissue sparing posterior approach. The damaged cartilage and bone is removed. The damaged ‘ball’ is removed and replaced with a metal stem placed into the hollow centre of the femur (thigh bone). The worn socket is replaced with a Metal Cup and a Metal or Ceramic Head is placed on top of the Metal Stem. A Plastic Lining is placed inside the metal cup The procedure takes approximately 70 minutes to complete.

What is the success rate of hip replacement surgery?

Hip replacement is a very successful operation and has been described as ‘the operation of the century’.

Most patients experience significant improvement in their pain and their ability to perform daily activities including walking. As hip replacement is a technical procedure, it is important to choose an experienced surgeon with high surgical volume to ensure an excellent outcome.

Is hip repacment surgery painful?

You will experience some pain following  the surgery but this is typically well controlled with painkillers. Patients usually notice a different type of pain compared to the arthritis pain felt before the surgery. Pain and stiffness usually improves day on day but  recovery may take weeks, and it may be 3 to 6 months before you are feeling happy with the outcome.

Complications following total hip replacement

Hip replacement is a very successful operation. However, like any surgical procedure there are risks associated with a Hip Replacement that you must be aware of and accept prior to undergoing the surgery. These include Infection, Clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis), Embolus, Dislocation, Limb Length inequality, Persistent pain, incomplete relief of symptoms following surgery, Vessel or Nerve damage, Fracture, Re-operation/revision, medical, anaesthetic and mortality risks.

Thankfully complications following hip replacement surgery are relatively uncommon. Infection is serious but is not common occurring in approximately 1% of cases. Should infection happen it can require further surgery to treat.

Deep vein thrombosis [DVT] can occur in approximately 2% of cases. Several measures are taken to reduce the risk such as to use of medication and early walking.

Other risks include bleeding, stiffness, leg length difference, persistent pain, fracture, dislocation, nerve and vessel damage, anaesthetic risks, long term risks of loosening of the implants and wear of the joint replacement may require revision surgery in the future.

These risks will be discussed thoroughly in clinic.