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Hip replacement surgery is generally very successful in reducing pain. Most artificial hip recipients indicate nearly complete elimination of their hip pain for as long as the replacement hip lasts.
The surgical procedure to replace a hip is a major operation. Surgery removes the damaged areas of the thighbone (femur) and the inside of the socket (the acetabulum). The femur is hollowed out to produce a central canal to allow the insertion of a rod capped with a metal or ceramic ball, and the socket of the hip is resurfaced with an alloy and polyethylene (plastic) implant or insert that is placed with the metal shell in the acetabulum.
Some patients may have degenerative conditions in both hips requiring the replacement of both hips; surgery to replace each hip during the same operation is usually not recommended under these circumstances. Patients requiring the replacement of both hips are recommended to have the 2nd hip replacement several months after the first operation, to allow for adequate rehabilitation.
Hip replacement is an elective surgery, and is considered an effective and long-lasting treatment for a degenerating hip.
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There are a variety of materials available for use as a substitute for an arthritic hip. Polyethylene, an extremely high grade plastic, is a common choice for the socket. The ball, which fits snugly inside the socket, is often composed of very resilient, precisely machined metal. However, there are a wide variety of components available, from numerous materials. This is an ongoing area of great interest, as medical professionals seek longer-lasting, better performing materials to enhance the patient's quality of life.
The choice of components for each patient is influenced by a variety of factors. Some variables which can affect the type of material the surgeon may use include the patient's age, expected level of activity, and the overall condition of the surrounding musculoskeletal structures.
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| This procedure does not normally involve the transplanting of tissue. |
About the Review Team
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