Sandyford, Dublin 18

Total Hip Replacement

Hip replacement is one of the most successful operations anybody can have. Over half of the people who have had a hip replacement will over time stop noticing that they ever had a problem.

Arthritis of the hip has many causes ranging from childhood hip problems to rheumatoid arthritis. The most common cause is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is due to wear and tear. Arthritis is caused by loss of cartilage from the hip joint; this cartilage is the white smooth covering of the bone at the joint. As this cartilage is damaged and wears away the harder rougher bones rub directly on each other producing pain, particularly on walking and climbing stairs, and may even give a grinding sensation to hip movement. Affected individuals will find that their hip becomes stiff to the point that tying shoe laces may be impossible.

A hip replacement creates a new hip joint with a smooth surface that moves without pain. Surgery takes about one hour of operating time. Your hospital stay averages about one week but may be shorter or longer than this. By the time you leave hospital you will be able to get up and walk around independently as well as manage the bathroom and stairs. The majority of people are able to return straight home following surgery. A return to driving is delayed until six weeks after surgery.

The modern hip replacement has been in existence nearly 50 years and has evolved and changed to meet the challenges of high demand and active patients. There are many different substances used to recreate the hip joint itself including metal, hardened plastic and ceramic. Different techniques such as resurfacing or using stemmed implants, with or without cement, are available. The decision on what is best for you varies for each individual and that decision is made with the help of your orthopaedic surgeon.

HIP

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note you will need a referral letter from your GP to use any of

the services of UPMC Beacon Centre for Orthopaedics, except for the Physiotherapy department.