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TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT
Hip Anatomy
Your hip is a ball-and-socket joint that supports the weight of the body and allows you to bend and move your legs. The hip joint is made up of two bones. The acetabulum (or socket) is part of the pelvis. The femoral head (or hip ball) is the top of the thigh bone or femur. The surfaces of the ball-and-socket are covered with a smooth, white tissue called articular cartilage that allows these bones to move smoothly against one another. The cushioning effect of the cartilage is injured or lost in conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or trauma. When diseases affect the hip joint, patients will typically feel pain in the groin or flexion area of their hip. If you suffer from pain in the proximal thigh or groin area, you may need to see one of our specialty physicians at the OrthoCarolina Hip & Knee Center.
Hip Replacement Surgery
When degenerative conditions lead to the destruction of the ball and socket joint, sometimes the only treatment to alleviate pain is replacement of the hip joint. Total hip replacement (THR) is a common orthopedic procedure in the United States. Hip replacements are typically performed to alleviate the symptoms caused by degenerative arthritis, trauma, rheumatoid arthritis or birth abnormalities in the hip.
Patients who undergo hip replacement surgery can expect to return to many activities that arthritis has stolen from them. Often patients regain full mobility with little pain and/or limping.
This surgery involves removing the diseased ball-and-socket tissue and replacing these surfaces with artificial surfaces, alleviating the discomfort.
The damaged socket, referred to as the acetabulum, is replaced by a hemispherical cup that accepts a new ball, which is secured to the top of the femur or thigh bone. The procedure typically lasts one to two hours, and patients are up and walking the day after surgery, with a full recovery typically occurring by four months.
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