ALL ABOUT HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY
Hip replacement surgery (also called hip arthroplasty) is usually performed in patients with severe hip pain due to osteoarthritis. It is the best option for pain relief, restoring lost mobility, correcting hip deformity, and improving the patient’s quality of life.
Even though hip replacement is considered major surgery, its success rate is very high. The risk of infection of the prosthesis occurs only in 1% or 2% of cases.
So, if you are considering hip replacement surgery, keep reading to find out everything about this procedure.
HOW THE HIP WORKS?
The hip joint is considered a ball-and-socket joint. So, basically, it is a spherical-shaped surface (femoral head) that fits into a cup-like bone depression called the acetabulum.
The femoral head is the upper, round end of the femur (thighbone), and the acetabulum is part of the pelvis. Both the ball and socket bone surfaces are covered with a smooth tissue lining known as cartilage. It acts as a cushion and improves mobility between the hard bone surfaces.
Also, the synovial fluid lubricates the cartilage and minimizes the friction between the bones during hip movement. And there are a series of ligaments or bands of tissue that stabilize the hip joint.
Knowing how the hip works, you can understand pain develops due to a “wear and tear” mechanism in patients with osteoarthritis. The cartilage is diminished so that the bones rub together, causing hip pain.

Medically reviewed by Dr Osama Bahsas Zaky
Written by Joaquín Pineda
Updated on February 3, 2022