Total Hip Replacement

Why might I need a hip replacement?

Hip replacements are sometimes performed without prior planning due to broken hips. Our hip joints are extremely mobile due to their structure as a ball and socket joint. Our long leg bone, the femur, has a “head” which inserts into the pelvis. The head of the femur is connected to the main body of the femur by a narrower section called the neck of femur, which is a common source of fractures due to falls onto the hip.

Alternatively, hip replacements can be a planned procedure as a result of long term pain. Generally a result of arthritis, the space between the bones is worn away, leading to painful friction and bone-on-bone contact between the head of femur and the socket of the pelvis. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be advised to receive surgery to alleviate pain.

What does the surgery involve?

A total hip replacement involves the replacement of both the ball and socket of the hip. Parts of the bones are removed and/or shaved away, allowing the surgeon to replace them with metal and polymer structures that act in the same way that the ball-and-socket originally did. There are multiple approaches to total hip replacement surgery, with some involving the cutting of certain muscles. Depending on the nature of surgery, there may be certain movements that your surgeon forbids for a period of time following surgery to reduce the risk of dislocation or muscle re-injury.

How can physiotherapy help?

Following early physiotherapy treatment and discharge from hospital, your physiotherapist will work with you to maximise the strength and motion, and minimise pain, of the hip. It is important to keep the hip moving and range of motion progressing, which you can achieve through certain exercises as guided by your physio. Strengthening is also key to allowing a proper return to pain-free function, and your physio will advise you in ways to progress this appropriately.

One of the key factors in post-surgery function is pre-surgery function. If you have a planned hip replacement, you can consult with our physiotherapy team who can advise you on exercises and other treatments which will ensure you have the best outcomes post-surgery.

If you have hip arthritis, or have received a total hip replacement, you can make a booking with our skilled physio team to allow you to reduce your pain and return to maximum function.