Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip replacement is one of the most reliable procedures in orthopedic surgery for relieving pain and restoring mobility when arthritis or joint damage no longer responds to non-surgical care. The hip surgeons at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (MOR) were among the early developers of minimally invasive and outpatient hip replacement techniques, and they match the approach to each patient's anatomy, activity level, and goals. Whether hip replacement is right for you is a decision to make with a fellowship-trained hip surgeon after a full evaluation. This page is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice.

What Is Hip Replacement Surgery?

In a hip replacement (also called hip arthroplasty), the damaged ball-and-socket surfaces of the hip are removed and replaced with an implant. The femoral head is replaced with a stem and a metal or ceramic ball, and the worn socket is resurfaced with a cup and a smooth liner. The implant recreates a low-friction joint so the hip can move without the bone-on-bone contact that causes arthritis pain.

Is Hip Replacement Surgery Right for You?

Most hip pain is mild and improves with non-operative treatment such as activity changes, physical therapy, medication, or hip preservation. Arthritis, however, is typically progressive. When cartilage wear becomes severe, hip replacement may be considered. Signs that patients and their surgeons weigh together include:

• Hip or groin pain that limits daily activities like walking, stairs, or rising from a chair
• Hip pain that continues at rest or interferes with sleep
• Stiffness that limits moving or lifting the leg
• Difficulty putting on shoes and socks
• Pain that persists after non-surgical treatment and hip preservation have been tried

There is no strict age or weight cutoff; recommendations are based on pain and loss of function, not age alone. Your surgeon reviews your history, exam, and imaging with you before recommending surgery.

Types of Hip Replacement

MOR offers the full range of hip replacement procedures and matches the technique to the patient.

Total Hip Replacement

Replacing both the ball and socket of the hip joint with an implant; the most common option, used most often for advanced osteoarthritis.

Anterior Hip Replacement

A front-of-hip approach that works between muscles rather than cutting through them. For eligible patients this can mean fewer post-surgical precautions and a faster early recovery. Candidacy depends on anatomy and body habitus, which the surgeon evaluates individually.

Posterior Hip Replacement

A well-established, versatile approach that gives the surgeon broad access to the joint and remains an excellent option for many patients, including more complex cases.

Revision Hip Replacement

When a prior hip replacement wears, loosens, or fails, revision surgery replaces the worn components. MOR includes surgeons who focus on complex revision and reconstruction, including for patients whose first replacement was performed elsewhere.

Minimally Invasive and Outpatient Hip Replacement

MOR's joint replacement surgeons were among the pioneers of minimally invasive hip replacement and among the first to perform it as an outpatient, same-day procedure. Minimally invasive technique places the same clinically proven implants used in standard surgery through a smaller incision, with the goal of sparing the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons. For appropriate candidates this can support less blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, and in many cases discharge home the same day. Whether you are a candidate for an outpatient procedure is decided with your surgeon before the day of surgery.

Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement

MOR surgeons use precision robotic technology to assist with implant sizing, placement, and positioning. Real-time data during surgery lets the team make adjustments so the implant is placed as accurately as possible for each patient's anatomy.

Preparing for Your Surgery

Once you and your surgeon decide to proceed, you will typically have a medical evaluation with your primary care doctor to confirm you are healthy enough for surgery; patients with heart, kidney, or other chronic conditions may see a specialist first. Common steps include pre-operative blood work and testing, a review of your medications, completing any needed dental work beforehand to lower infection risk, and preparing your home for recovery. Your care team gives you a checklist specific to your procedure.

What to Expect on Surgery Day

Hip replacement usually takes one to two hours. Anesthesia may be general (asleep) or spinal or regional (numb from the waist down), decided with the anesthesia team. The surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and bone and positions the implant to restore the hip's alignment and function. Afterward you are monitored in recovery, then either discharged home the same day or admitted overnight, depending on your plan.

Recovery After Hip Replacement

Recovery varies by patient, approach, and overall health. Many patients begin walking the same day and progress over the following weeks with guided physical therapy. Common questions patients ask:

• Driving: often 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the side operated on and being off narcotic pain medication; anterior-approach patients often return sooner. Your surgeon clears you at follow-up.
• Return to activity: most patients resume normal light activities within 3 to 6 weeks and low-impact activities as cleared; high-impact activities like running are generally discouraged to protect the implant.
• Implant longevity: modern hip implants commonly last 20 to 25 years or longer; longevity is influenced by activity level, weight, implant type, and technique.

Risks and Complications

Hip replacement is common and generally safe, and serious complications are uncommon. As with any surgery, risks exist and your surgeon will review them with you. They can include infection, blood clots in the legs or lungs, dislocation of the new joint, a difference in leg length, loosening or wear of the implant over time, and less commonly nerve or blood-vessel injury, fracture, or continued pain. Your care team uses established measures to lower these risks and explains the warning signs to watch for after surgery.