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Hip replacement surgery

Hip replacement surgery is an operation to replace worn or damaged parts of your hip joint with an artificial joint (called a prosthesis).

Hip replacement surgery can improve movement and reduce pain

Sometimes also called

  • Hip arthroplasty

Why us

  • Fast access to treatment when you need it
  • Internationally and nationally renowned consultants
  • Clear, inclusive pricing with no hidden charges
Typical Hospital Stay

1 – 2 nights

Type of anaesthetic

General

Covered by health insurance?

Yes

Procedure duration

60 – 90 minutes

Available to self-pay?

Yes

What is hip replacement surgery?

A hip replacement is a common operation to remove worn or damaged parts of your hip joint and replace them with an artificial joint to help you move more easily and to reduce pain.

Conditions such as osteoarthritis or a hip fracture can make it hard to manage everyday tasks eg getting dressed, having a bath or walking. Chronic (long-term) pain can also prevent you from sleeping well and enjoying life.

Signs of needing a hip replacement

Hip pain is the main reason why you might need hip replacement surgery, particularly if:

  • Non-surgical treatments haven’t relieved your hip pain
  • You have hip pain even when you are not standing or walking

As well as hip pain, hip replacement surgery may benefit you if you have:

  • Difficulty with daily activities, such as shopping or bathing
  • Depression due to pain or lack of mobility
  • Hip problems that affect your work or social life
  • Hip swelling, stiffness and reduced mobility eg stiffness in your hip that prevents you from lifting up your leg
  • Reduced quality of life or disturbed sleep

Find a consultant at Sussex Premier Health

Mr Oliver Keast-Butler

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Simon Hoskinson

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Andrew Armitage

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Christopher Buckle

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Simon Pearce

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Mr Khalid Malik

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Your initial consultation

At Sussex Premier Health, you’ll meet your consultant in one of our private consultation rooms, they will discuss your health and symptoms, and perform a physical examination of your hip.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests such as scans or blood tests are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

Your consultant will suggest what would be best for you and your lifestyle and will then advise you about your personal plan and some of the options that are available to you.

Your procedure

On the day of your operation, our ward staff will show you to your own private room. Your private room will have an en-suite bathroom and TV and Wi-Fi facilities.

Once you’re ready, our nurses will help you prepare for your operation. Before your procedure, you will meet with your consultant again and your anaesthetist.

Before your operation, you will be given your anaesthetic.
You’ll have either:

  • General anaesthetic, where you’re unconscious
  • An epidural or spinal anaesthetic, where you’re numb from the waist down – your anaesthetist may give you a sedative to help you relax

The operation usually takes up to an hour and a half.

Portrait Of Laughing Multi-Cultural Medical Team Standing In Hospital Corridor

Aftercare

You’ll receive pain relief medication to help you recover in comfort. Your physiotherapist will get you moving as soon as you feel ready and will provide exercises, so you can enjoy the full benefits of your hip replacement.

Before you go home, your nurse will give you advice about caring for your wounds, hygiene and showering. You’ll be given a date for a follow-up appointment so your consultant can make sure that everything’s as it should be.

After a hip replacement, you can expect to stay at Sussex Premier Health for two to three days.

Treatment and recovery timeline

1-2 days

Walk with help and support from a physiotherapist

2-3 days

You’ll be able to leave hospital

1-2 weeks

Walking more each day using a walking aid

2-6 weeks

Gradually able to do more exercises such as gentle swimming and static cycling

6-8 weeks

Return to work if desk based, no longer require walking aid, be able to drive if advised by your surgeon, and be able to have sex, but avoid positions of potential dislocation

12 weeks

Return to work for manual labour jobs, you should feel normal again and be able to perform your usual activities

You may need a hip replacement at any age, most people who have hip replacement surgery are aged between 60 and 80. However, teenagers with juvenile arthritis may also have hip replacement surgery. Your doctor may recommend it if you have:
• A hip fracture
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Septic arthritis
• Unusual bone growth

Your doctor may recommend hip replacement if:

  • You find it difficult carrying out everyday tasks
  • You have depression due to pain or reduced mobility
  • Your quality of life is impacted, including your sleeping
  • You’re unable to work or socialise

Hip replacement can ease pain and allow you to become more active again. However, it may not be suitable for you if the risks of surgery outweigh the benefits or you’re unable to cope with the recovery afterwards.

Before you decide to go ahead with hip replacement surgery, you should discuss the pros and cons with your doctor and research what’s involved before, during and after the operation.

As well as the potential benefits of reducing pain, increasing mobility and improving your quality of life, you should consider that:

  • As with all major surgery, there are some risks of complications
  • You may not be able to take part in certain sports or perform some movements, such as squatting
  • You will be less mobile for the first few weeks after the operation so you may need some help around the house and with errands
  • Your new hip joint may eventually need revision surgery after 10-20 years

Your doctor will usually recommend hip replacement surgery only after you’ve tried other treatments that haven’t worked for you.
Non-surgical treatments include:

  • Pain or anti-inflammatory medication
  • Physiotherapy — your physiotherapist might also recommend changes to specific movements you make to ease your symptoms
  • Steroid injections
  • Walking supports, such as a cane
  • Weight loss

When determining whether you are suitable for hip replacement surgery, your doctor will also consider risk factors for complications after surgery, such as your age, weight and whether you have diabetes.
If you are healthy and in good physical condition, the chances of any given complication are low, between 0-3%. However, if you have several risk factors, the chances of complications rise to around 20%.

Your surgery will be performed by your consultant surgeon.

Your care team will try to get you out of bed and mobile as soon as possible. This may even be the same day as your operation. You’ll be able to walk with crutches and the support of your physiotherapist while in hospital. You’ll be able to go home when your care team are happy with your recovery and that you’ll be able to move around safely at home.

You should be able to get back to normal daily activities around six weeks after your operation. However, it’s important to remember that everyone recovers differently and it’ll depend on your age, fitness level before the operation, the condition of the hip and your normal activities that you do.

Many people are able to drive again after six to eight weeks, but check with your surgeon first. You should also check with your motor insurance company, as many won’t insure you for a number of weeks after an operation.

Getting back to work after a hip operation depends on the type of job you have. For desk-based jobs you should be able to return after six to eight weeks, while for manual labour jobs it could be around 12 weeks.

You should be able to get back to most daily activities including light chores after six weeks, although you should avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for around three months after your operation.

There’s no set time when it’s safe to have sex. You should treat it like any other physical activity during your recovery and gradually build up to it and only if it feels comfortable. Make sure you follow your physiotherapists advice about what movements to avoid.

You’ll return to hospital a few weeks after your operation for a follow-up appointment to check your recovery progress.

Most hip replacements last for at least 15 years. This means if you’re younger, you may need another operation to replace the worn joint. A repeat operation is more complex, with an increased risk of complications, and isn’t suitable for everyone.

Your consultant will discuss how to enjoy your usual activities safely. You may be advised to avoid some activities, eg extreme sports that risk over-extending or dislocating your new hip. Try not to put stress on your hip by avoiding sitting cross legged, sitting very low or rotating your hip.

You can help your recovery by making sure you’re as fit as you can be before surgery and strengthening the muscles around your hip. After surgery, make sure you continue your physiotherapists exercises at home to help you get the most from your new hip.

Speak to your consultant or GP before flying to find out what’s right for you. It’s important to note that your chance of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) increases if you fly after recent surgery.

Airlines have their own regulations about passengers flying after surgery, so make sure you check beforehand.

Hip implants can be made from metal, plastic or ceramic components. The most common combination is a metal ball and plastic socket. Alternatively, and often used if you’re younger or more active, you can have a ceramic ball with a ceramic or plastic socket.

You can usually bend down 12 weeks after having a hip replacement. However, you should avoid bending your hip more than 90 degrees.

Interested in finding out more?

Speak to a member of our team

Phone01424 757400

Enquiry form

DD slash MM slash YYYY

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