What is a total hip replacement?
Total hip replacement (or arthroplasty) is surgery to replace the ball and socket of the hip joint. First the surgeon removes the top part of the thighbone (femur). He or she replaces this with an artificial ball, usually made of metal. This attaches to the top of a metal stem, which fits inside the thighbone. Next, the surgeon removes some bone from the hip socket, along with any cartilage that remains. A new socket is put in its place. The new ball fits into the new socket, so that the joint can move smoothly, without causing pain.
A total hip replacement is an operation that removes the arthritic ball of the upper thighbone and damaged cartilage from the hip socket. The ball is replaced with a metal ball that is fixed solidly inside the femur. The socket is replaced with a plastic liner that is usually fixed inside a metal shell. This creates a smoothly functioning joint that does not hurt.
A total hip replacement is a procedure that removes the arthritic ball of the upper thighbone (femur) as well as damaged cartilage from the hip socket. The ball is replaced with a metal ball that is fixed solidly inside the femur. The socket is replaced with a plastic or metal liner that is usually fixed inside a metal shell. This creates a smoothly functioning joint that does not hurt.
