Total Hip replacement surgery, also called total hip arthroplasty, involves removing a diseased hip joint and replacing it with an artificial joint, called a prosthesis. Hip prostheses consist of a ball component, made of metal or ceramic, and a socket, which has an insert or liner made of plastic, ceramic or metal. The implants used in hip replacement are biocompatible — meaning they’re designed to be accepted by your body — and they’re made to resist corrosion, degradation and wear.
Total hip replacement surgery is typically used for people with hip joint damage from arthritis or an injury. Followed by rehabilitation, hip replacement can relieve pain and restore range of motion and function of your hip joint. Multiple types of hip replacement approaches and types of hip prostheses are available. Depending on the type and severity of your condition a partial, total or a hip resurfacing can be done. The prosthesis can be fixed with or without cement. The cup is sometimes fixed with screws into the acetabulum. All modern prostheses are modular and a head made of metal or ceramic and with sizes from 28-58mm in diameter is placed onto the the stem. A polyethylene (plastic) liner is placed between the head and the cup. Modern improved highly crosslinked polyethylene liners that are now used results in reduced wear on the bearing and a better longevity for the prosthesis.
