Total Hip Replacement Surgery

About the Surgery

Total hip replacement involves replacing damaged cartilage in your hip joint with smooth artificial surfaces. This is done by replacing the upper end of the thigh bone (femur) with a metal ball, and resurfacing the hip socket in the pelvic bone with a metal shell and liner. A 6-8 inch incision is made on the outside of the hip, which is closed with staples or adhesive.

Preparing for Surgery

You should be examined by your family doctor to ensure you are healthy enough for the planned surgery. You will be encouraged to stop smoking before surgery to prevent lung complications or delayed healing. Pre-admission testing (lab work, EKG, chest x-ray) and attendance at a “joint camp” will also be scheduled to further help you prepare for surgery. Anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin, and blood thinning medications should be discontinued one week before your surgery. These medications affect your blood clotting factors and could increase your risk of blood loss during surgery.

What to Expect After Surgery

You will wake up in the recovery room after surgery with an IV for antibiotics and fluid replacement that will be continued for 24 hours. You may receive medication through an IV-regulated pump to control your pain. 

Physical therapy will begin the day after your surgery and you will be instructed on how to walk with the use of a walker. You may also be allowed to bear weight as tolerated on the affected hip, but you will have “hip precautions” that you will need to follow for lifetime.

Recovery Period

The average recovery period for hip replacement is 2-3 months. Most patients are back to work in 2 months if their job is sedentary, and 3 months if they have a labor-intensive job. Exercise such as running, skiing, or contact sports are discouraged following hip replacement surgery. Activities like swimming, walking and biking are encouraged to promote hip strength and overall fitness.

Patient Education Sheets

For additional information about this procedure, including what to do to prepare for your surgery and at-home instructions, we have included this complete patient eduction sheet as a pdf to view, download and print:

Anterior Approach Total Hip Replacement Surgery

About the Surgery

Total hip replacement involves replacing damaged cartilage in your hip joint with smooth artificial surfaces. This is done by replacing the upper end of the thigh bone (femur) with a metal ball, and resurfacing the hip socket in the pelvic bone with a metal shell and liner. A 4" incision is made on the outside of the hip, which is closed with staples or sutures.

The anterior approach for total hip replacement is a tissue-sparing alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery that provides the potential for less pain, faster recovery, and improved mobility because the muscle tissues are spared during the surgical procedure. The technique allows the surgeon to work between your muscles and tissues without detaching them from either the hip or thighbones – sparing the tissue from trauma.

Keeping the muscles intact may also help to prevent dislocations. The surgeon uses one small incision on the front (anterior) of your hip as opposed to the side or back. Since the incision is in front, you’ll avoid pain of sitting on the incision site.

Preparing for Surgery

You should be examined by your family doctor to ensure you are healthy enough for the planned surgery. You will be encouraged to stop smoking before surgery to prevent lung complications or delayed healing. Pre-admission testing (lab work, EKG, chest x-ray) and attendance at a “joint camp” will also be scheduled to further help you prepare for surgery. Anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin, and blood thinning medications should be discontinued one week before your surgery. These medications affect your blood clotting factors and could increase your risk of blood loss during surgery.

You will be given a prescription for a blood thinner such as Coumadin to take before surgery, or Xeralto or Lovenox to take after surgery, in order to prevent blood clots during the healing process.

What to Expect After Surgery

You will wake up in the recovery room after surgery with an IV for antibiotics and fluid replacement that will be continued for 24-48 hours. You may receive medication through an IV-regulated pump to control your pain. Depending on your doctor, you may also have a urinary catheter for 24 hours and compression stockings or a compression pump on your legs.

Physical therapy will begin the day after your surgery and you will be instructed on how to walk with the use of a walker. You may also be allowed to bear weight as tolerated on the affected hip. There are no specific range of motion limitations with anterior approach total hip arthroplasty.

Physical therapy will begin the day after your surgery and you will be instructed on how to walk with the use of a walker. You may also be allowed to bear weight as tolerated on the affected hip, but you will have “hip precautions” that you will need to follow for lifetime.

Recovery Period

The average recovery period for hip replacement is 2-3 months. Most patients are back to work in 2 months if their job is sedentary, and 3 months if they have a labor-intensive job. Exercise such as running, skiing, or contact sports are discouraged following hip replacement surgery. Activities like swimming, walking and biking are encouraged to promote hip strength and overall fitness.

Patient Education Sheets

For additional information about this procedure, including what to do to prepare for your surgery and at-home instructions, we have included this complete patient eduction sheet as a pdf to view, download and print: