Hip Replacement Surgery

Total Hip Replacement (THR):

• Traditional Approach: This involves making an incision on the side or back of the hip (posterior approach) or through the front (anterior approach) to access the hip joint. The damaged femoral head and acetabulum are replaced with prosthetic components: a metal or ceramic ball attached to a stem that fits into the femur, and a socket (cup) that replaces the acetabulum. While this approach allows full access to the hip joint, it may involve longer recovery times and more muscle trauma.

Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement:

• Anterior Approach: Involves a smaller incision on the front of the hip, allowing the surgeon to work between muscles rather than cutting through them. This aims to reduce muscle damage and promote quicker recovery with less postoperative pain.
• Posterior or Lateral Approach: These can also be performed using minimally invasive techniques with smaller incisions, though they are generally less common than the anterior approach.

Hip Resurfacing:

This procedure involves trimming and capping the femoral head with a metal covering instead of completely replacing it. While less invasive, it is less commonly performed due to concerns about long-term wear and potential complications compared to traditional total hip replacement.

Revision Hip Replacement:

This is performed when a previous hip replacement has worn out or failed, often due to implant loosening, infection, or other complications. The procedure involves removing the existing implants and replacing them with new components.

Bilateral Hip Replacement:

Some patients may need both hip joints replaced due to arthritis or other conditions. This can be done in separate surgeries or simultaneously (bilateral simultaneous hip replacement).