Hip Replacement

Hip replacement or “arthroplasty,” is where the diseased hip joint is replaced by artificial materials. Implants are either “cemented” in place, or have special coatings that encourage bony in-growth. Multiple surgical approaches can be used and all are equally successful.

Results vary, but the average in-patient hospital stay for a total hip arthroplasty is 3-5 days. By two weeks postop most patients are ambulant in the community using a stick or a frame, and by six weeks patients are generally able to mobilise unaided.

Hip Arthroplasty is one of the most successful surgical procedures of the modern era. Early postoperative complication rates are less than 1-3%, and the Australian National Joint Replacement Registry reports nearly 90% of hip replacements are still viable at 20 years after the procedure.