Total Hip Replacements

Hip Replacement surgery is often performed on an inpatient basis.  However, many patients may be candidates to have this procedure performed on an outpatient basis as part of Olympia Orthopaedic Associates innovative Outpatient Total Joint Replacement Program.

The hip is a ball and socket joint and the goal of Hip Replacement surgery is to repair both the ball and the socket of the hip. There can be several approaches used to perform a Hip Replacement, including the posterior approach, the direct lateral approach or direct anterior approach.  The approach that is best for you will be decided by you and your surgeon.

During all forms of Hip Replacement surgery, the surgeon carefully removes osteoarthritic bone and damaged cartilage in the hip joint and replaces it with special components.  First, the damaged femoral head (the ball of the hip joint) and is replaced with a metal or ceramic implant.

Next, damaged bone and cartilage in the socket portion of the hip is removed and replaced with a new implant.

Next, a medical grade polyethylene plastic spacer is placed between the ball and the socket so that they can glide smoothly over one another as they do in a healthy hip joint.

In the final stage of these procedures, advanced imaging and flexibility tests are used to ensure proper placement of the implants.

Hip Replacement procedures take about two hours from start to finish. Patients are then brought to a recovery room where they can recover in comfort.  Nurses and medical staff will review post-operative instructions as well begin scheduling the start of your Physical Therapy program.

Hip Replacements are one of the most popular orthopaedic surgical procedures with over 300,000 performed each year.  After these procedures, it is important that you commit yourself to the Physical Therapy program prescribed by the Olympia Orthopaedic Associates Physical Therapy Team so that you can recover quickly and get the most out of this procedure.

After therapy is completed, you can look forward to an active and pain-free lifestyle.  You can return to the hobbies you once enjoyed like golf, hiking and fitness routines – without the pain of osteoarthritis.

The Hip Replacement Specialists at Olympia Orthopaedic Associates have provided countless patients with a hip arthritis solution using Total Hip Replacement surgery.