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February 8, 2012
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Total Hip Replacement

Medical Author:
Paul Simic, MD
Coauthor:
P John Simic, MD, FAAEM
Medical Editor:
Mitchell J Goldman, DO, FAAP, FAAEM
Medical Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Medical Editor:
James Ungar, MD

Total Hip Replacement Introduction

Total hip replacement (THR) is an excellent treatment option for people with late-stage degenerative hip disease. THR is one of the most successful and common surgical procedures in orthopedic surgery. In addition to marked reduction in pain and improvement in sleep, most people regain range of motion, physical ability, and quality of life.

  • The hip joint is composed of a ball and socket, with the surface of each covered by cartilage.

  • A number of conditions and diseases can cause the cartilage surfaces to degenerate, which in turn leads to pain, stiffness, and disability.

  • Doctors replace both the ball (femoral head) and socket (acetabulum) during total hip replacement surgery.

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Viewer Comments & Reviews

Total Hip Replacement - Causes

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

What caused you to need a total hip replacement?

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Total Hip Replacement - Describe Your Experience

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

Please describe your Total Hip Replacement experience.

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Arthritis

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Total Hip Replacement

Osteoarthritis »

Osteoarthritis Overview

Osteoarthritis (OA) is not a single disease but rather the end result of a variety of disorders leading to the structural or functional failure of one or more of your joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of chronic joint pain, affecting over 25 million Americans. Osteoarthritis involves the entire joint, including the nearby muscles, underlying bone, ligaments, joint lining (synovium), and the joint cover (capsule).

  • Osteoarthritis also involves progressive loss of cartilage. The cartilage tries to repair itself, the bone remodels, the underlying (subchondral) bone hardens, and bone cyst form. This process has several phases.
    • The stationary phase of disease progression in osteoarthritis involves the formation of osteophytes and joint space narrowing.
    • Osteoarthritis progresses further with obliteration of the joint space.
    • The appearance of subchondral cysts (cysts in the bon...

Read the Osteoarthritis article »


Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Total Joint Replacement Rehabilitation »

Total joint replacement, or arthroplasty, represents a significant advance in the treatment of painful and disabling joint pathologies.

Read More on Medscape Reference »

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