What is hip replacement?

Hip replacement is a surgical procedure your provider at Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine performs to remove damaged or diseased sections of your hip joint and replace them with artificial components. Hip implant materials include cobalt-chromium, titanium, ceramic, and plastic.

During hip replacement surgery, your surgeon removes the femoral head at the top of your femur (thighbone), which is the ball in your hip joint. They also hollow out the acetabulum (socket) in your pelvis, which accommodates the ball.

Why would I need hip replacement surgery?

There are two primary reasons for needing a hip replacement. One is a fracture where the bones suffer too much damage to repair. The other and most common cause of needing a hip replacement is osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint but is especially common in those that bear weight, like the knees and hips. 

It’s a disease most likely to develop from middle age onward due to years of joint wear and tear and aging. The articular cartilage protecting your bones thins down over time, so instead of sliding over each other, your bones catch and rub.

The friction and inflammation that develop cause chronic pain, stiffness, and weakness in the affected joints. It’s possible to manage these symptoms quite effectively with conservative treatments like physical therapy and medication, and later on, joint injections.

As the disease progresses, it can reach a point where nonsurgical treatments are no longer working. If your hip arthritis is causing pain and disability and nothing else is helping, Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine can perform hip replacement surgery.

What does hip replacement surgery involve?

Hip replacement typically takes place under a general anesthetic, so you’re asleep throughout the procedure. First, your surgeon separates the femoral head from its socket and removes the diseased ball. Then they remove any damaged cartilage or bone from the socket.

Next, your surgeon presses a metal shell into the hip socket. They might secure the shell with bone cement or screws. A plastic liner goes into the metal shell, completing the artificial socket. 

The next stage is hollowing out the end of the femur. Your surgeon inserts a metal implant or stem into the femur, often fixing it in place with bone cement. 

They attach a replacement ball component to the stem, ensure everything is in the correct position, and stitch the wound. Hip replacements restore mobility and relieve pain very effectively. They’re likely to last for 15-20 years.

To find out if hip replacement surgery could resolve your hip problems, call Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, or book an appointment online today.