Hip Replacement
The normal hip versus an arthritic hip
The hip joint is a ball and socket between the top of the thigh bone and the pelvis which lies deep in the groin. It consists of a ball (femoral head) at the top of your thigh bone (femur) and a socket (acetabulum) in your pelvis.
The surfaces of the ball and socket are covered by a smooth, low friction material called articular cartilage, which cushions the bones and lets them move easily.
The arthritic hip
As we get older, most people will have ‘wear and tear’ arthritis of the hip, although some will have rheumatoid arthritis which also involves other joints. Patients may need a hip replacement due to inflammatory, rheumatoid, or osteo-arthritis. This is because the smooth cartilage becomes flaky and develop small cracks, the bone underneath the cartilage becomes denser and the lining of the joint becomes inflamed and may thicken up.
As the arthritis progresses, there may be:
- Severe wear of the cartilage allowing the bones to run and grate together
- Loss of the joint space
- Formation of bony lumps called osteophytes
These changes may result in pain, loss of movement and loss of muscle power.
Why do I need a hip replacement now?
You may have been referred for a hip replacement for several reasons including:
- You may have pain which at times is severe and disabling, which makes it difficult or impossible to carry out normal daily activities
- You cannot walk very far and may have to use a stick. Stairs may be very difficult
- You may have pain or loss of function due to arthritis
The aims of the hip replacement are to relieve the pain from your hip and to enable you to carry out your normal activities more comfortably.
The JointCare Pathway for hip replacements at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
If you need a hip replacement at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital you will follow our JointCare Pathway. Below is a booklet that will guide you through everything you will need to know about having your hip replaced from the procedure itself, benefits and risks, how to prepare, what to expect on the day of surgery and what to expect from your recovery.
