Hip replacement surgery is a fairly common procedure. In fact, more than 450,000 hip replacements are performed each year in the United States, and this number continues to climb as our population gets older.1 The hip is classified as a ball-and-socket joint that enables motion, flexion, and stability. The ball is the head of your femur, and the socket is located inside your pelvis—the ball and socket join to form the hip joint.2
A healthy hip contains cartilage that helps cushion the ball-and-socket joint and protects the bones from grinding against each other; but when the cartilage gets worn down or damaged, the bones begin to rub against each other, causing pain and immobility.2 Walking, sitting, and standing up can become very difficult and painful.
Hip replacement surgery is used to treat a broken or fractured hip or to help relieve the pain and stiffness caused by hip arthritis.2 Did you know there are three different types of hip replacement surgery? Keep reading to learn more.
What are the 3 different types of hip replacement surgery?
Total Hip Replacement
Total hip replacements are considered the most common type of hip replacement surgery. During this procedure, a surgeon removes and replaces worn-out or damaged parts of your hip with artificial implants—the new socket is made of plastic and potentially a metal shell of titanium while the new ball is made of ceramic or metal and is attached to a metal stem that is placed into the top of your femur.
Partial Hip Replacement
During a partial hip replacement, only the ball of the joint is replaced rather than both the ball AND the socket. Older patients who have suffered a hip fracture may be good candidates for this type of hip replacement surgery.
Hip resurfacing
During hip resurfacing, a surgeon trims the bone from the joint, preserving the natural femoral head. This type of procedure is generally used in younger, active patients who have stronger bones.
Great Lakes Orthopaedics: World Class Orthopedic
Hip replacement surgery sounds scary and overwhelming. We get it. That’s why we are standing by today to answer any questions you may have. Your health and wellness matter to us, and we want to offer our patients the highest levels of care and service in the industry.
Our devoted team of medical professionals are highly trained and knowledgeable in all aspects of hip replacement procedures. In fact, our expert surgeons perform more hip replacement surgery procedures than any other orthopaedics in Michigan and almost any other program in the United States. We work with our patients before, during, and after hip replacement surgery to help them regain their strength, manage their pain, and learn safe new ways to move and bend.
Got questions or need to make an appointment? Don’t hesitate to contact our office today at https://greatlakeso.com/.
References:
- Joint Replacement Surgery. American College of Rheumatology. February 2022. Accessed February 27, 2023. https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Treatments/Joint-Replacement-Surgery.
- Hip Replacement. HSS. Accessed February 27, 2023. https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_hip-replacement.asp.
- Comparing the different types of hip surgery. Practice Plus Group. July 8, 2022. Accessed February 27, 2023. https://practiceplusgroup.com/knowledge-hub/comparing-the-different-types-of-hip-surgery/.
