A hip replacement is a surgical procedure to replace your hip joint with an artificial version. It provides a long-term solution for worn or damaged hip joints caused by injury or disease such as osteoarthritis, which can cause severe pain and loss of mobility (see Why it is done).
The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint. The operation replaces both the natural socket and the rounded ball at the top of the thigh bone with artificial parts (see How it is done). These parts replicate the natural motion of the hip joint.
At least 50,000 hip replacements are carried out each year in Britain, usually on adults aged over 65. Women are more likely to need a hip replacement than men.
Hip resurfacing
An alternative method to hip replacement, known as metal-on-metal hip resurfacing, involves replacing the diseased or damaged surfaces in the hip joint with metal parts. Less bone is removed, so less prosthetic (implant) is needed.
Resurfacing is likely to last longer than a conventional replacement joint, which may start to wear after 10-20 years. Therefore, hip resurfacing is recommended for younger people (under the age of 65) with advanced hip disease who are likely to outlive a hip replacement.
However, because the technique is still relatively new, it is not known precisely how long the resurfacing will last.
Outlook
The outlook for a hip replacement is generally considered to be good. It is a routine operation that offers an end to joint pain, increased mobility and a better quality of life.
However, it is a major operation with a fairly long recovery period and associated problems include wear and tear of the prosthesis in people who are more active and the device dislocating or loosening.
Hip resurfacing also appears to be beneficial, but is a relatively new technique, so there is little information available about the long-term safety and reliability of this method.
