During the Procedure

• You will arrive at the hospital usually on the day of surgery.
  
  
• An anesthesiologist will meet with you to discuss various options for anesthesia.
  
  
  • You may have a general anesthesia, in which you will be completely unconscious.
  • 
    
  • You may have regional anesthesia that will numb you from the waist down and keep you moderately sedated.
  
  
• The surgeon will expose your hip joint and dislocate the ball from the socket.
  
  
  • The doctor removes the head from the femur (thigh bone) and reams away the surface of the socket.
    
    
  • The doctor secures in place a prosthetic cup (socket) made of polyethylene.
    
    
  • The surgeon then secures a metal head (ball) and stem into the femur either by a press fit or with bone cement.
    
    
  • The doctor places the ball into the cup and takes your new hip through a range of motion to ensure proper stability and mobility.
    
    
  • The surgeon closes your incision, and you are brought to the recovery room.

Viewer Comments & Reviews

Total Hip Replacement - Describe Your Experience

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

Please describe your Total Hip Replacement experience.

Anonymously share your comment to help others.
See 3 Viewer Comments & Reviews

Submit Your Review