Total Hip Replacement

About Total Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement, or total hip arthroplasty, replaces a hip joint worn down by osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or fracture with an artificial ball-and-socket implant. During surgery, the orthopedic surgeon removes the damaged femoral head and reshapes the hip socket (acetabulum), then fits a metal or ceramic stem into the thighbone topped with a ball component that articulates against a new socket liner fixed into the pelvis. The approach may be posterior, anterior, or minimally invasive, chosen based on the patient's anatomy and the surgeon's preference, and the procedure typically takes one to two hours under spinal or general anesthesia. It is usually considered once hip pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility persist despite physiotherapy, weight-bearing precautions, and pain medication, and when imaging confirms significant joint degeneration. Many Indian orthopedic centers perform large volumes of hip replacements annually and offer cemented, uncemented, and hybrid fixation options along with robotic or computer-navigated techniques for precise implant positioning. After surgery, patients are usually mobilized with a walker within a day or two, stay in hospital for several days, and follow a structured rehabilitation program over the following weeks to restore strength and walking pattern.