Photo Courtesy of Orthoweb.com

An estimated 120,000 total hip replacements are performed in the United States each year (NIH, 1994). Sir John Charnley revolutionized modern total hip replacement with the introduction of his "low friction arthroplasty" (Charnley, 1961). Current designs continue to be based on his principles of using a relatively small femoral head and a polymeric socket.
The ball is inserted into the top of the femur with a stem for stability. For most patients, the socket is composed of a metal shell (usually titanium or chrome cobalt) which bone grows into, and a plastic (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) liner which articulates with the new ball. The stem may be composed of titanium or chrome cobalt and the ball or "head" is generally chrome cobalt or ceramic. The stem is often inserted with cement, but may be inserted in a fashion which allows bone ingrowth, particularly for younger patients. Recent reports indicate that better than 98% of patients are doing well eight to eleven years after the hip replacement (Berger et al, 1997). Judging from the excellent early results, it is reasonable for most patients to expect many years of painless function from their total hip replacement.

Most patients stay in the hospital for three to five days after a total hip replacement, and the majority get out of bed the day after surgery. Some patients will require another week or two of rehabilitation after the initial hospitalization. (click here for more information about rehabilitation facilities)

Once fully recovered, patients may enjoy walking, swimming, biking, golfing, or other activities, but in general should avoid heavy impact, such as running, which may shorten the life of the prosthesis.