Hip replacement surgery: Expert insight on your treatment journey

Hip replacement surgery is a well-established procedure typically performed for patients diagnosed with arthritis. For those expecting to undergo surgery, questions around the success and durability of the hip replacement can understandably cause concern. We invited highly esteemed consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon Mr Numan Shah to discuss the need for revision hip replacement surgery, and to shed light on the post-operative follow-up process following initial surgical intervention.

How is a hip replacement performed?

Hip replacement is performed on patients who have a confirmed diagnosis of arthritis. This is established through clinical examination, history and imaging, usually pertaining to X-rays. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, we then discuss hip replacement surgery with the patient. If they are in agreement, the patient will then undergo a pre-operative assessment and all being well, will be taken to theatre on a set date for their hip replacement operation.

Hip replacement can be performed under a spinal anaesthetic, which is similar to an epidural where your legs are essentially numb but you are predominantly awake, or along with additional sedation if required. If the spinal anaesthetic is not appropriate for you or does not work, a general anaesthetic can be utilised.

All in all, hip replacement is a very well thought out procedure, which has now been performed for many tens of years. We have very good outcomes and in fact, hip replacement is probably one of the best operations that we perform within the field of orthopaedics when we look at quality improvement throughout many years of life after the procedure.

When might a revision hip replacement be required?

Normally, once a hip replacement has been performed, you will be seen in the clinic at six weeks, and then again at about 12 months. After those 12 months have passed, the surgeon and the patient will discuss the outcomes of the operation. At this stage, some patients are doing very well and they can be discharged.

However, if the patient requires further input, this can be provided on a yearly basis. This is much like an MOT, where we check on your joint over time. As the hip replacement is a mechanical joint, just like your natural ball and socket joint, it can wear out as time passes. We usually give the ballpark figure of around ten to fifteen years. After that time, you may start to get pain, your mobility might be affected, and generally symptoms will likely occur due to the deterioration in your hip.

Should this occur, you would need to see a surgeon who can then appropriately investigate your symptoms and manage the joint that is possibly developing a problem. With the newer technology that we now have available, we are hopeful that the rate of revisions will go on to reduce over time. In fact, some older implants that were put in many years ago (40, or even 50 years ago) are still surviving. As such, we are quite heartened by the fact that the materials that we currently use are much more enhanced, and we expect for them to last longer. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of revision following your hip replacement surgery. Should this become necessary, however, we can use today’s technology to manage this rather expertly.



If you would like to learn more about the leading causes of hip pain, you can read more of Mr Shah’s expert insight on the topic in his previous article.

If you require hip replacement surgery and wish to schedule a consultation with Mr Shah to discuss the available treatment options, visit his Top Doctors profile today.