The low down on hip replacements

Company news

Aug 28, 2015

Hip surgery, either total or partial replacement or resurfacing, is the most commonly carried out surgical procedure. According to the National Joint Register more than 99,000 hip procedures were undertaken in England and Wales in 2014. So far, in 2015, there have been almost 25,000.

Why do people need a hip replacement?

A hip replacement is recommended for patients whose hips have become so painful through damage that the pain interferes with everyday living, such as walking driving and getting dressed. Some common reasons why a hip might become damaged include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and hip fracture.

What are the benefits of a hip replacement?

A new hip joint can relieve pain, improve function, increase mobility and contribute to a better quality of life.

What does a hip replacement entail?

The operation can be carried out under general anaesthetic or an epidural. Your surgeon will make an incision on the side of your hip, remove the damaged hip joint and replace it with an artificial joint. The procedure usually takes between one and one-and-a-half hours.

What happens in recovery?

The days when you had to rest for weeks are long gone. At Emersons Green NHS Treatment Centre we will gently have you on your feet on day one after surgery, and with the support of our physiotherapists you will be mobile enough to go home three to four days after your operation, having been given exercises and instructions on how to use mobility aids such as crutches. For the first four to six weeks you will need crutches to get around and you will need to do your exercises to make best use of your new hip joint. Most people are back to normal within two to three months, but it can take up to a year before you fully benefit from your new hip.

Are there any risks?

All surgery comes with risk, but the chances of serious complications for hip replacements are very low – less than one per cent. Complications can include dislocation, infection, injury to the blood vessels or nerves, a fracture or differences in leg length, but the potential limb length discrepancy is usually minimal and will not affect your gait pattern.

How long will my new hip last?

A modern artificial hip is designed to last for at least 15 years on average However, in some instances the new joint can wear out or do wrong in that period. If this happens than further surgery is required, and this is called revision surgery. It is estimated that around one in 10 of those with an artificial hip will need revision surgery at a later date.

Are there alternatives to hip replacement?

Hip resurfacing is an alternative to hip replacement and involves removing the damaged surfaces of the bones inside the hip joint and replacing them with metal surfaces. Its advantage over a hip replacement is that it removes less bone, but it is only really affective in younger adults who have relatively strong bones. It is not as commonly carried out as hip replacements, not least because of concerns about the new metal on metal bearing surfaces causing potential damage to soft tissues. Your consultant will be able to advise you.

What are the benefits of hip surgery at Emersons Green NHS Treatment Centre?

Our waiting times are good: three to four weeks from referral to your first outpatient appointment and 10 to 11 weeks from referral to surgery. All your tests and x-rays are done in the first appointment, where you will also meet the team who will care for you – this means that you do not need to revisit us before your operation. We have no incidences of MRSA or C-Diff, and we are in the top 50 in the UK for our hip work. Our patient experience is excellent: a recent report put us ‘best in the west’ and in the top three nationally for our hip replacements.