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Dr. Daniel C. Eby

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine

Total Hip Joint Replacement

Each person’s hips are unique. Total hip replacement products have been designed to act much like a natural hip as well as increase the stability of your hip, potentially reducing pain. To provide the best fit for your hip, your surgeon will choose from a number of implant sizes and components.

About Hip Arthritis

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and the most frequent cause of discomfort and chronic hip pain.

In fact, it’s estimated that more than 50 million Americans have some form of arthritis. Two-thirds of the people who have been diagnosed with arthritis are under the age of 65.

Of the more than 100 types of arthritis, the following three are the most common causes of joint damage:

Images courtesy of DePuy Synthes

Osteoarthritis is a disease that involves the wearing away of the normal smooth joint surfaces. This results in bone-on-bone contact, producing pain and stiffness. Even though there is no cure for arthritis, treatments like hip replacement allow patients to enjoy their lives with less pain and better mobility.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease because it may attack any or all joints in the body. It affects women more often than men and can strike young and old alike. Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis causes destruction of the joint through severe inflammation. The body’s immune system attacks and destroys the smooth lining covering the joint capsule, the protective cartilage and the joint surface. This causes pain, swelling, joint damage and loss of mobility.

Trauma-related arthritis results from damage to the joint from a previous injury. It also results in joint damage, pain and loss of mobility.

The Potential Benefits of Hip Replacement Surgery

  • Relieve pain 
  • Improve mobility
  • More freedom to pursue everyday activities, such as walking or climbing stairs

Hip Anatomy

A joint is a point where multiple bones meet and work together so that you can perform daily tasks like sit, climb stairs, walk comfortably, etc. The hip joint is described as being a “ball and socket” joint due to the joint’s appearance of a ball (femoral head) fitting snugly in a cup-like socket (acetabulum).

The ball (femoral head) is located at the top of the thigh bone (femur) and the socket (acetabulum) is part of the pelvis. The area where the bones meet is covered by a slick but firm tissue called cartilage, allowing the joint to move smoothly.

As joint disease progresses, the bones begin to rub together causing a rough misshapen surface, sometimes resulting in bone-on-bone contact, producing pain and stiffness.

Images courtesy of DePuy Synthes

Hip replacement surgery removes the worn and arthritic areas of your hip joint and replaces those areas with an implant that helps restore a smooth joint surface.

For more information including things to consider, preparing for surgery, post-surgery, and rehabilitation, download our brochure.


References:

1. Understanding Arthritis: http://www.arthritis.org/arthritis-facts/understandingarthritis.php. Accessed March 2015.
2. Jacoby, Dana. The Exclusive Guidebook to the World of Medicine. Med Ed Pub, Page 44. Publication date 4/28/2007