Patient Education: Hip Replacement

Understanding Hip Replacement

Your hip is a simple ball and socket joint, where your thigh bone joins with your pelvis. Surrounded by cartilage, muscles, and ligaments, your hip is one of your largest weight bearing joints in your body. Smooth cartilage and bone help you walk easily and without pain. 

In a healthy hip (shown below), smooth cartilage covers the ends of your hip bones allowing the ball to glide easily in the socket. Smooth weight bearing surfaces allow for painless movement.

A HEALTHY HIP

In a problem hip (shown below), the cartilage wears away and the bones rub together, becoming rough and pitted. The ball grinds in the socket when you walk, resulting in pain and stiffness.

A PROBLEM HIP

Your damaged hip joint can be replaced with new, smoothly surfaced components (shown below). A ball will replace the worn head of your thigh bone, with a stem inserted into the bone for stability. A cup will replace the worn socket. Like a healthy hip, your prosthesis has a smooth gliding surface that will allow you to move with ease and without pain. Unlike your healthy hip, however, your prosthesis has a limited range of motion, and will need your special care after surgery.

A HIP PROSTHESIS

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