Hip replacement

How is total hip replacement surgery performed?

During total hip replacement surgery, an orthopedic surgeon replaces the upper end of your thigh bone with a metal ball. The surgeon then resurfaces the hip socket in your pelvic bone with a metal shell and plastic liner.

Hip replacement surgery, or hip arthroplasty, can resolve hip pain caused by injury from fractures or other hip conditions. The result of the procedure is better stability, mobility and increased function with reduced pain. Some of the types of hip surgery our orthopedic surgeons specialize in include:

This type of hip replacement is minimally invasive, meaning smaller incisions are made from the front of the hip. This causes less trauma to tendons and muscles.

Hip resurfacing is a surgical alternative to hip replacement surgery. Instead of replacing the hip joint entirely, a hollow, mushroom-like cap is placed over the round socket of the hip bone.

In this procedure, a prosthetic component replaces the top of the femur (thigh) bone only, not the socket, and diseased damaged parts of the femur are removed.

If a hip replacement surgery fails, hip revision surgery may be an effective treatment option. This procedure involves removing some or all of the artificial joints placed during the hip replacement and putting new artificial joints in their place.

During a total hip replacement, the ball of the thighbone and socket of the pelvis bone are replaced with prosthetic pieces. The procedure involves removing the damaged cartilage and bone and implanting the device. Hip replacement surgery relieves hip pain caused by injury from fractures and conditions such as avascular necrosis or severe arthritis. In this procedure, a damaged hip joint is replaced with a prosthetic implant. This procedure typically results in better stability and mobility and less pain.

Patients undergoing hip replacement surgery at our hospital have access to advanced surgical technology for the new direct anterior approach to hip replacement. The anterior approach is one of the least invasive surgical options, and many patients are eligible.

The procedure uses a specialized surgical table, allowing our surgeons to work in between the muscles, instead of detaching them from the hip or thighbones. This allows for less tissue disturbance and smaller surgical incisions.

The anterior approach to hip replacement allows a faster recovery time and aids in precise placement of a prosthesis. The result is better function and a longer-lasting joint, compared to traditional hip replacement surgery.

Whenever possible, our orthopedic specialists use robot-assisted technology to perform total hip replacements. This advanced technology allows us to make fewer incisions and causes less trauma to surrounding muscles and joints than traditional surgical approaches. This usually results in less pain, reduced scarring and a faster recovery for you.

To perform robot-assisted surgery for a total hip replacement, we first take a computed tomography (CT) scan of your hip joint. We then use software that creates a 3D model of your hip. Your surgeon uses this model to pre-plan the optimal size and position of the hip implant based on your particular anatomy.

During surgery, the surgeon uses the robotic arm to precisely and accurately align and position the hip implant to match the pre-surgical plan. This gives you the best and most comfortable fit possible.

At HCA Florida University Hospital, we use a team-based approach that reflects our collaboration as a connected healthcare network. This means we bring together everyone involved in your care process — including your surgeon, primary care physicians and other support staff.

Together, we are committed to creating an effective treatment plan and returning you to an active lifestyle as quickly as possible. Our hip replacement surgery team may include:

• Anesthesiologists
• Nurses
• Orthopedic surgeons
• Physical therapists

Following joint replacement surgery, you will begin physical rehabilitation to help with your recovery. Through physical therapy sessions, our specialists will help you build back strength, restore mobility and provide you with comprehensive home exercise techniques.

If you are considering joint replacement surgery, we work with you to determine if you meet the qualifying criteria. Our preoperative class provides you and your family members with more information about your surgery options and the next steps you should take.

Schedule an appointment with one of our joint experts if you:

• Experience hip pain or stiffness after sitting for a long time or getting out of bed
• Have pain, swelling or tenderness in the hip joint
• Have tried other treatments, such as medicines and physical therapy, without success
• Hear or feel “crunching” in the hip joint