Mr Rob Sharp - Orthopaedic Surgeon

A hip replacement is a very effective  treatment for a damaged or worn out hip joint. This can occur for a multitude of reasons, most commonly osteoarthritis or 'wear and tear'. Other causes include inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, previous trauma or a consequence of childhood hip disorders.

When do I need a hip replacement?
If you have significant arthritis and pain and stiffness are interfering with your lifestyle. A hip replacement should cure the arthritic pain and improve your mobility, but there are risks of surgery and potential complications. You must have sufficient symptoms so that the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks.

What can I expect from my new hip joint?
A total hip replacement should abolish your hip pain and usually improves the hip range of movement depending on the pre-operative stiffness. However, a joint replacement of whatever type is not as good as a normal hip joint. There are certain movements to avoid that could lead to a dislocation. Some recreational sports are possible such as tennis, skiing, cycling and swimmimg. Artificial hip joints, like any piece of machinery, wear out. The lifespan of the new joint depends on its use, as well as the components used, bone quality and how well it is implanted.

What types of hip replacement are there?
There are many different types of hip replacement on the market. The socket is either cemented or 'press-fitted' into place. Likewise the femoral component is either cemented or 'press-fitted' into the shaft of the femur. There are many combinations of bearing surface from the traditional metal on polyethylene, to ceramics and metal on metal bearings.
I generally use an Exeter stem which has an excellent track record in all the hip replacement registries worldwide. For more information, visit the Exeter website.