Your surgeon may recommend Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) when other non-surgical treatments are ineffective. Hip replacements are performed not only to relieve pain and restore range of motion, but also to prevent further damage. The number one reason for joint replacement is osteoarthritis. Other reasons for joint replacement include rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, developmental dysplasia of the hip or a simple hip fracture. If the hip joint is diseased or damaged, the muscles around it often weaken, which may make it even more difficult to move.

Total hip replacement involves removing the diseased bone and cartilage and replacing them with orthopaedic implants. The surgical procedure involves an incision through the skin to gain access to the hip joint through the muscles overlying the hip, all done while the patient is under anesthesia. After the surgeon exposes the hip, your diseased hip ball (femoral head) is removed. It is replaced with an artificial ball on a stem, such as Exactech’s Novation® or AcuMatch® femoral stem, which is inserted into the hollow part of the thighbone. The stem may be pressed into place or cemented using a special acrylic cement. The hip socket (acetabulum) is prepared by “reaming” it, using special instruments that make it the right size and shape. A metallic acetabular shell, such as the Novation Crown Cup®, is then pressed into place and sometimes further secured with bone screws. A cup-shaped acetabular liner is then placed in this shell forming the socket part of the ball-and-socket replacement. The ball and socket are then placed together to complete the implant procedure and the soft tissues are repaired to complete the surgery. Each implant is available in a variety of sizes to accommodate different body sizes and shapes.

Ask your orthopaedic surgeon if hip replacement surgery is right for you.