Total Hip Arthroplasty

Overview - What is Total Hip Arthroplasty?

Total hip arthroplasty is a surgical procedure that replaces the worn or damaged ball-and-socket surfaces of the hip with artificial components. It is most often performed for advanced hip arthritis when pain, stiffness, and limited mobility are no longer controlled with non-surgical care.

The goal of total hip arthroplasty is to reduce pain, improve motion, and help patients return to walking, daily activities, travel, and low-impact recreation with greater confidence. Dr. Stewart uses careful surgical planning and intraoperative imaging when appropriate to help optimize implant position, stability, and leg length.

What Causes the Need for Hip Replacement?

There are different types of degenerative joint disease (DJD) that can affect the hip, including:

• Osteoarthritis, in which cartilage wears down over time
• Post-traumatic arthritis, which results from a severe fracture or dislocation of the hip
• Rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory arthritis of the joints
• Avascular necrosis, a condition where the ball or femoral head has lost a healthy supply of blood flow causing the bone to die and the femoral head to become misshaped
• Hip dysplasia, a condition where bones around the hip joint did not form properly, which may cause misalignment of the hip joint

Candidacy - Who Is a Good Candidate?

Total hip arthroplasty may be appropriate when hip arthritis or joint damage is limiting everyday life and conservative treatments are no longer providing enough relief.

• Advanced osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis, dysplasia, or inflammatory arthritis
• Hip pain that limits walking, stairs, sleep, work, or recreational activity
• Stiffness or loss of motion that makes daily tasks difficult
• Symptoms that have not improved enough with medication, injections, therapy, or activity changes
• Imaging that confirms joint damage consistent with the symptoms

Risks and Benefits

The main benefit of total hip arthroplasty is meaningful pain relief and improved function. As with any surgery, risks include infection, blood clot, fracture, dislocation, leg length difference, implant wear, and the possibility of future revision surgery. Dr. Stewart reviews these risks in the context of each patient's health, anatomy, and goals.

Recovery Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions