Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Steroid injections can help manage pain and delay surgery in mild to moderate arthritis, but they don’t treat the underlying joint damage. They are generally safe up to three times, but repeated injections can increase infection risk before surgery. Once arthritis is severe or symptoms are significant, a hip replacement should be considered. Your surgeon will advise how long to wait after the last injection before surgery.

Osteoarthritis is actually the medical term for wear and tear of the cartilage in the hip joint. It is graded from mild cartilage damage (Grade 1) to complete cartilage loss with bone-on-bone contact (Grade 4). Most people develop some degree of osteoarthritis over time. Assessment is based on symptom severity and imaging, such as X-rays or MRI scans, which show joint space loss. If pain is no longer controlled with simple painkillers or anti-inflammatory medication, further investigation is recommended to determine whether a hip replacement may be appropriate.

Minimally invasive hip replacement is designed to help patients return to normal activities as quickly as possible. Most patients are up and walking the same day or the following day after surgery, with a typical hospital stay of one night. Physiotherapists support early mobilisation, including walking with crutches, stair use, and daily activities. The first two weeks can be uncomfortable while the wound heals. By around four weeks, most patients can return to driving, and by six weeks, many are walking independently and resuming activities such as golf.

Treatment decisions are based on symptoms rather than X-ray findings alone. If hip movement is good and daily activities, such as walking, getting in and out of a car, or putting on socks and shoes, are not significantly affected, a hip replacement is not required. However, if symptoms worsen over time and pain can no longer be controlled with medication, surgery may then be considered. Regular monitoring is advised.

Hip dysplasia is a condition present from birth in which the hip socket does not fully cover the ball of the joint, leading to abnormal load on the cartilage and an increased risk of early arthritis. Management focuses on protecting the joint and reducing impact. Low impact cardiovascular exercises, such as cycling, cross training, or rowing, are recommended, while high impact activities should be avoided to help reduce the risk of developing secondary osteoarthritis.

Management is guided primarily by symptoms. Initial treatment includes physiotherapy, stretching and strengthening exercises, and regular pain relief such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medication, where appropriate. If pain persists despite these measures and continues to affect daily activities, assessment by a hip specialist is recommended to determine whether a hip replacement may be appropriate.

Yes. The same detailed pre-operative assessment and planning is carried out across both NHS and private practice. Hip replacements are routinely templated using X-rays to determine the most appropriate implants and surgical approach for each patient. This planning helps ensure accuracy during surgery and allows implants to be matched to the patient’s individual anatomy, aiming for the best possible outcome.