Types of Hip Replacement

What is a Hip Replacement?

Hip replacement, also known as total hip arthroplasty, is a joint replacement surgery in which parts of the hip joint are replaced with a prosthesis, or hip implant. Hip replacement surgery is typically performed to relieve the hip pain and stiffness caused by hip arthritis, most commonly osteoarthritis. However, it can also be used as a definitive medical treatment for injuries like a hip fracture and other conditions such as osteonecrosis or rheumatoid arthritis. The most common type of hip replacement surgery is total hip replacement; however, a partial hip replacement or hip resurfacing may be more suitable for other patients.

If you do opt for the operating room, you’ll be in good company—over 450,000 primary total hip arthroplasties are performed in the U.S. every year. The procedure can be performed in several ways, and there are different types of hip replacement. You and your orthopedic surgeon will determine the best surgical approach to improve your quality of life.

Why Do You Need a Hip Replacement?

Hip replacement is commonly recommended for osteoarthritis that doesn’t respond to other treatments, but it can also be used to relieve inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or fractures stemming from injury or osteoporosis. People typically seek hip replacement if they experience hip pain that:

• Interferes with daily activities and sleeping
• Persists despite taking pain medication
• Increases while walking
• Makes it difficult to get dressed, climb stairs, or rise from a seated position

What Are the Different Types of Hip Replacement?

There are three main types of hip replacement surgery:

• Hip resurfacing
• Partial hip replacement
• Total hip replacement

1. Hip Resurfacing

With hip resurfacing, the original hip joint remains in place, but the femoral head is covered with a thin sheet of metal. Only a few centimeters of damaged bone are removed from the thigh bone (femur), just enough to ensure a tight fit with the metal. (Think of it like getting a cap on your tooth.) It carries a lower risk of hip dislocation, and since much of the original hip bone is preserved, patients may be able to return to a higher activity level once they have healed. This procedure is often prescribed for young, active patients with premature hip arthritis. The goal is pain relief while preserving as much of the natural bone as possible.

2. Partial Hip Replacement

Also called a hemiarthroplasty, a partial hip replacement replaces only the ball of the hip joint (the femoral head), leaving the socket (acetabulum) intact. Its primary use is to treat fractures and other traumatic hip injuries where the ball is cracked and cannot be pinned.

A partial hip replacement is not typically used to treat degenerative conditions where both parts of the hip joint have been damaged by wear and tear. At Alexander Orthopaedics, partial hip replacement is a rare procedure and is typically performed only on elderly patients who break their hip and cannot have a total hip replacement surgery.

3. Total Hip Replacement

When someone mentions having a hip replacement, this is usually the procedure that comes to mind. A total hip replacement removes both the ball and socket from the damaged hip joint and replaces them with prosthetics made from durable materials, such as metal, polyethylene (plastic), or ceramic. It can be performed either through the front of the leg (anterior approach) or via a minimally invasive incision through the back of the hip (posterior approach), which is a more conventional surgical approach. After a total hip replacement, patients work with physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion.

Outpatient Hip Replacement Surgery

Advances in hip arthroplasty now allow total hip replacement to be performed as an outpatient procedure. At Alexander Orthopaedics, we specialize in outpatient total joint replacement surgery, allowing many of our patients to go home the same day as their procedure. This approach reduces time spent in a hospital, lowers the risk of secondary infections, and allows you to recover in the comfort of your own home, ultimately improving your overall health outcome. Our team, including expert providers and a total joint liaison, will ensure you are well-prepared for an easy recovery time.

Which Type of Hip Replacement is the Best?

When comparing anterior versus posterior hip replacement, the posterior hip replacement approach is the most common. A posterior hip replacement provides the orthopedic surgeon with full visualization of the hip joint, including the hip cup and femur.

In a traditional total hip replacement, one area of risk is the potential for postoperative hip dislocation. However, a proven innovation in hip replacement surgery called the SMART Total Hip Replacement helps reduce the chance of dislocation.

The procedure, developed by Dr. Vladimir Alexander of Alexander Orthopedics, utilizes a semi-posterior incision that can reduce the risk of postoperative dislocation. This technique, which involves small incisions, preserves and repairs the joint capsule, thereby decreasing the risk of nerve damage and complications compared to both the standard posterior approach and the direct anterior approach methods.

Dr. Alexander has been using this procedure for over 15 years, and it’s the standard of care in the practice. In fact, Alexander Orthopaedics is training other surgeons on how to perform this procedure. “We believe it’s the absolute best way to perform a hip replacement. We’re the leaders in this, and we’re the ones who perform it best, since we’re the ones who invented it and trademarked it.”

At Alexander Orthopaedics, we also specialize in the innovative Bikini Hip Replacement, which accelerates recovery and leaves virtually no visible scar. Our surgeons use the direct anterior approach, accessing your hip joint through a small incision along your natural bikini line. For active individuals, this means less post-operative discomfort and a smoother return to activities like tennis, swimming, and sunset walks on Siesta Key.

Hip Replacement at Alexander Orthopaedics

Don’t let a sore hip keep you from enjoying life. Alexander Orthopaedics is the only practice in the Tampa Bay area that specializes in outpatient total joint replacement surgery, which means you’ll be back on your feet quicker. Schedule an appointment today and take the first step toward a pain-free life.