Hip Replacement Surgery

If you have hip pain that isn’t responding to other therapies, hip replacement surgery may help relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

A hip replacement (hip arthroplasty) can help reduce hip pain associated with hip arthritis and other conditions. During the procedure, an orthopaedic surgeon replaces your hip joint with a prosthetic (artificial) implant.

Orthopaedic surgeons at MU Health Care perform hip replacements using minimally invasive techniques whenever possible. New surgical advances and protocols also allow many patients to go home the same day as their hip replacement.

We also offer robotic-assisted hip replacements and specialize in complex arthroplasties, including revision surgeries for failed implants.

Types of Hip Replacement Available at MU Health Care

Most hip arthroplasties are total hip replacements, meaning your surgeon replaces both the ball and socket of your hip joint. Less often, a partial hip replacement (hemiarthroplasty) is done to replace just the ball, or top of your femur.

We perform hip replacements using the latest surgical techniques and technology, so they are less invasive than traditional arthroplasties. When performed by experienced surgeons like those at MU Health Care, the following procedures have similar outcomes for patients.

Anterior Approach Hip Replacement

This hip replacement surgery is performed from the front of your hip.

Posterior Approach Hip Replacement

Through an incision on your side, surgeons perform this hip replacement surgery from the back of your hip.

Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement

Your surgeon can use either the anterior and posterior approach with or without an advanced robotic system. At MU Health Care, our team uses the Mako SmartRobotics and VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution systems for robotic-assisted hip replacements.

Before a robotic-assisted hip replacement, your surgeon will create a digital model of your joint using 3D computed tomography (CT). During surgery, the system uses the image to help our team make precise cuts and align your joint.

Outpatient Hip Replacement

If you undergo any of these less invasive approaches to hip replacement, you may be able to go home the same day as surgery. Otherwise, you can likely return home a day or two after surgery.

Hip Revision

A revision hip replacement can help if you’ve had a joint replacement that has been damaged or has failed. Hip revisions are also an option if you’ve had an infection in your joint. During a hip revision, a surgeon can repair or replace your artificial joint.

Second Opinions for Hip Replacement

If a hip replacement has been recommended for you, our team can review your situation and offer a second opinion. Other, less invasive treatments like hip preservation at MU Health Care may be an option.

What to Expect with Hip Replacement

Before Your Hip Replacement

You’ll meet with our team for a thorough evaluation, X-rays and other tests to see if you’re a candidate for hip replacement.
Your orthopaedic surgeon and nurse will educate you on what you can expect before, during and after surgery.
We encourage you to participate in “prehab” to build strength during the weeks or months before surgery. We’ll teach you exercises as part of our Joint Health Program. We also provide instructions for at-home exercises in our hip replacement surgery guide.
We recommend quitting smoking before surgery and can provide support to help you accomplish this.
If you’re having robot-assisted total hip replacement, you will have a 3D computed tomography (CT) imaging scan. The scan will help your care team plan and personalize your hip replacement.

During Your Hip Replacement

You will receive regional (epidural) or general anesthesia before your surgery.
Your team will surgically remove the top of your femur (femoral head) and smooth out your hip socket (acetabulum). They will then replace the joint with an implant.
If you’re just having a partial hip replacement, only your femur will be replaced.

After Your Hip Replacement

To improve pain management after surgery, you will receive different types of pain medication to take on a specific schedule. This medication regimen can significantly reduce pain after hip replacement surgery.
You’ll start physical therapy in the hospital. While many people don’t need outpatient PT, our team may recommend it or suggest at-home exercises during your recovery.
You may be able to return home the same day as your procedure, or the next day or two.
You’ll receive questionnaires through the patient portal so we can monitor your progress during the weeks and months after surgery.