Hip Replacement

Hip replacement surgery — also known as hip arthroplasty — is a procedure where a surgeon removes damaged portions of the hip joint and replaces them with an artificial joint.

The new joint is specially designed to move and function as the original joint, but without pain.

Why would I need hip replacement surgery?

Having a degenerative joint condition such as arthritis or undergoing a traumatic injury can cause you to experience severe and chronic pain, stiffness and swelling, which can decrease your mobility and affect your quality of life.

Hip replacement surgery may be an option for you if medication or conservative treatments — such as physical therapy — are no longer providing relief from pain.

If you are experiencing severe hip pain, an orthopedic specialist can help determine if hip replacement surgery is an option for you.

Types of hip replacement surgery

There are different types of surgery to treat chronic joint pain. Two of the most common joint replacement procedures are total and partial hip replacement surgery.

• Total hip replacement: In this procedure, surgeons replace the entire ball-and-socket joint portions of the hip.
  
• Partial hip replacement: In this procedure, surgeons replace only half of the hip joint, usually ball of the femur.
  

The two most common ways surgeons perform hip replacement procedures are anterior and posterior.

• Anterior hip replacement surgery: In this approach, the surgeon makes an incision at the front of the hip, cutting past some muscle and tissue to access the hip joint.
  
• Posterior hip replacement surgery: In this approach, the surgeon makes a hip incision at the back of the hip close to the buttocks, allowing the surgeon to access the hip joint cut through the fewer muscles.
  

What happens during hip replacement surgery?

During hip replacement surgery, surgeons remove damaged portions of the joint and small portions of the thigh and pelvic bones. 

After the areas are resurfaced or removed, the surgeon implants artificial ball and socket joints.

What is Mako?

Mako is a surgical system that uses CT-based 3-D modeling and a virtual alignment system. With Mako, orthopedic surgeons perform hip and knee replacements with unprecedented precision for more consistent outcomes and more comfortable recoveries.

Surgeons create a personalized 3-D preoperative surgical plan based on each patient’s unique anatomy, performing the procedure using the Mako system’s precision-guided technology.