Total Hip Replacement
About the Operation
The right hip has a Total Hip Replacement and the left hip is normal.
Admission
Most people are admitted to hospital on the day of surgery.
Anaesthesia
The anaesthetic team will see you and decide the type of anaesthetic that's best for you.
The different types of anaesthesia include:
- General Anaesthetic. This type of anaesthetic puts you asleep during the whole procedure and a machine controls your breathing.
- Spinal Anaesthetic. An injection is placed into your back to numb your hip and legs. You will be awake during the procedure, however a sedative can be given to you to help you doze off.
- Nerve Blocks. This special injection is used to help with your pain after the operation and often used in conjunction with a general anaesthetic.
The Operation
The operation usually takes between 1 to 2 hours, however can occasionally take a few hours.
Your surgical team with remove the damaged cartilage and bone and replace it with a new hip replacement.
Your wound is usually between 15 - 30 cms long, depending on your shape and your hip anatomy.
What is the Hip Replacement made of?
Hip replacements are made of surgical grade metal (often chromium cobalt, stainless steel or titanium), highly wear resistant plastic or ceramic.
A hip joint is basically a ball and socket joint, and a hip replacement is designed to replace this normal anatomy.
A hip replacement is composed of a:
- Socket: Medically called the Acetabular Component. It can be made of highly wear resistant plastic, metal or ceramic.
- Liner: The liner fits snugly into the socket to provide an ultra-smooth surface for the hip joint. It can be also be made of plastic, ceramic or metal.
- Ball: The artificial ball component is smaller than your normal hip ball. It is incredibly polished and perfectly round and smooth. It is usually made of metal or ceramic.
- Stem: The stem fits snugly into your thigh bone (femur) to provide a stable structure for the ball. It is made of metal.
There are types of hip replacements available, and your surgeon will decide which one is best for you.
Recovery Room
After the operation, you will be resting in the recovery room, where specially trained nurses will closely monitor to. This usually takes 1 to 2 hours. After which, you will be taken to your hospital room.