Diagnosing Who Needs Hip Replacement

During hip replacement surgery, the surgeon removes the painful joint and replaces it with an artificial hip joint made from plastic, ceramic and/or metal.

A very common question patients ask is when should I have a hip replacement? Your healthcare provider will likely recommend that you wait as long as possible to have the surgery. Typically, hip replacement surgery is done when other arthritis treatments don’t work. At this point, patients have noticed their pain has gradually gotten worse, even when they're resting or sleeping.

The hip replacement procedure involves replacing the ball at the top of the femur (thigh bone) and the hip socket. The surgeon will either cement the artificial hip joint to the bone or use a part with a porous coating that the bone grows into.

The success rate of hip replacement surgery is high, but there are some risks, including infection, blood clots, dislocation and loosening of the new hip joint.

Following your surgery, you may wear compression stockings or take blood thinners to prevent blood clots. You will begin physical therapy in the hospital, and should continue with a physiotherapist once you leave.