Hip replacement surgery

What is it?

Hip replacement surgery removes worn or damaged parts of your hip joint and replaces them with an artificial joint. This procedure helps to reduce pain and enables you to move more easily.

The symptoms are variable depending on the underlying problem but many patients suffer with pain and stiffness, particularly when related to hip arthritis.

Pain and discomfort is often felt at the front of the hip, sometimes in the groin or occasionally in the buttock or side of the hip. Pain may spread down the front of the thigh towards the knee. Patients may be woken with discomfort through the night. Less frequently, patients may have just knee pain with no hip symptoms at all.

Patients may notice that they cannot walk as far as they used to or they may develop a limp. Patients may notice limited movement or restricted activity. It may prove difficult to carry out normal everyday activities.

Diagnosis and treatment options

Your consultant will examine you to check how well your hip is working. They may ask you to demonstrate certain movements.

At your initial consultation, you may need diagnostic tests which will help your consultant decide what the most appropriate treatment option is for you. This will be fully discussed with you during your appointment.

You might need tests such as X-rays, CT and MRI scans.

We offer different types of hip replacement surgery, including conventional and robotic (Mako):

The type of hip replacement is assessed on the basis of your activity levels. With both conventional and robotic types of hip replacement surgery, your surgeon will make a cut over the side of your hip.

In addition to the standard incision for hip replacement, several small additional wounds around the hip are necessary to aid the robotic technique.

In both techniques, the ball and the socket of your hip joint will be removed and replaced with a new artificial hip joint.

All joint replacement patients will typically spend two to three days in hospital after their surgery. They will spend approximately three weeks on crutches. Patients can return to driving at four to six weeks, when they feel able. Patients can return to golf at three months and impact activities such as tennis and skiing 4-4.5 months post-operatively.

Robotic hip replacement

A robotic arm system is used to assist during robotic hip replacements. The robotic technology allows the surgeon to deliver a personalised surgical plan for every patient undergoing joint replacement surgery. This means that the artificial joint can be placed in the exactly the right position for individual patients.

Ahead of surgery, to assist with pre-surgical planning, a CT scan will be performed to provide the surgeon with exact calibrated measurements of the bones around the hip using 3D images.

During the operation, your surgeon uses this information in preparing the bone for the joint replacement. The Mako robotic arm guides the surgeon, enabling precise and accurate placement of the implant, ensuring the best possible position. By optimising position, accurate leg length and muscle tension are restored in an effort to optimise outcome and reduce the risk of post-operative complication.