Health Topics for Bones, Joints and Muscles

Bone and Muscle Cancer

Department of Orthopaedics

Sports Related Injuries

Rheumatology Clinic

Pediatrics Rheumatology

UI Spine Center

Hip replacement

Did you know that joints can be replaced? When a joint is replaced, part or all of the joint is removed during surgery, and a new artificial joint is put in. This new joint is called a prosthesis. Artificial joints are made from high-strength plastic or metal or a combination of both.

The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. The artificial hip has two or three parts that form a ball and a socket. The replacement allows the joint to work like the original hip. Some patients have both hips replaced and continue to do well!

Hip replacement surgery is used for several reasons including:

• severe hip pain that prevents work or activities of daily living
• severe arthritis
• umors
• injury or broken hip and
• loss of bone from too little blood supply

Hip replacement is major surgery and is usually done by an orthopedic surgeon (bone specialist). Physical therapy is an important part of the recovery process. Physical therapy may be started the day of surgery or the day after. The person having the hip replacement will be given exercises to strengthen the hip muscles and will be shown easier ways to do activities of daily living. The exercises help the person gain strength to walk and promote a faster recovery. When crutches and/or a walker are needed, the person is shown how to use these safely.

The most common problem that may occur after surgery is a dislocation of the hip. Doing the exercises as shown and following what the physical therapist and the surgeon suggest can prevent this.

An infection is always a possible problem after any surgery. If there are signs of infection, the provider should be called. These signs may include:

• pain that gets worse after 24 hours
• swelling and redness of the incision
• foul smelling drainage coming from the incision or
• a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Centigrade)

Full recovery is expected. Most people are walking and getting around well within a few months.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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