Hip Replacement
Relieving pain. Restoring movement. Getting you back to life.
Overview
Total hip replacement is one of the most successful and widely performed procedures in modern orthopaedic surgery. When arthritis or damage causes the hip joint to become painful, stiff, and unreliable, replacing the joint can restore comfort and mobility — and greatly improve your quality of life.
During the procedure, the worn-out surfaces of the hip are replaced with smooth, artificial components. These implants replicate the natural ball-and-socket function of the hip and are designed to provide long-lasting, stable movement with minimal friction or wear.
During the procedure, the worn-out surfaces of the hip are replaced with smooth, artificial components. These implants replicate the natural ball-and-socket function of the hip and are designed to provide long-lasting, stable movement with minimal friction or wear.
Example of Total Hip Replacement
Indications
Hip replacement is typically considered when hip pain becomes persistent, disabling, or resistant to non-surgical treatments.
Common indications include:Osteoarthritis – the most frequent cause, involving cartilage wear and joint space narrowing.
Avascular necrosis – where blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted, leading to joint collapse.
Hip dysplasia – abnormal joint development causing early arthritis.
Post-traumatic arthritis – damage from previous injury.
Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory conditions.
Patients often describe groin or buttock pain, difficulty with stairs, stiffness after sitting, night-time pain, and loss of enjoyment in activities. If you’ve tried physiotherapy, medications, or injections without significant relief, hip replacement may be the next step.
Common indications include:
Patients often describe groin or buttock pain, difficulty with stairs, stiffness after sitting, night-time pain, and loss of enjoyment in activities. If you’ve tried physiotherapy, medications, or injections without significant relief, hip replacement may be the next step.
Surgical Approach
I typically perform total hip replacements using the minimally invasive anterior approach. This method accesses the hip joint through a natural interval between muscles at the front of the hip.
Key advantages of this approach include:Less disruption to muscles and soft tissues
Lower post-operative pain
Faster mobilisation and shorter hospital stay
Reduced risk of hip dislocation
Smaller scar and improved cosmetic outcome
Lower infection risk
Each patient is different — during your consultation, I will assess whether this approach is appropriate for your anatomy, medical history, and goals. In all cases, the aim is a precise, durable result using proven implant technology.
Key advantages of this approach include:
Each patient is different — during your consultation, I will assess whether this approach is appropriate for your anatomy, medical history, and goals. In all cases, the aim is a precise, durable result using proven implant technology.
Risks
Although total hip replacement is a safe and well-established procedure, all surgery carries some risk.
These include:Infection – managed with sterile technique and perioperative antibiotics
Blood clots (DVT/PE) – reduced by early walking, compression devices, and anticoagulants
Dislocation of the hip – much less common with the anterior approach
Nerve injury or numbness – usually temporary and uncommon
Leg length discrepancy – minimised with careful intraoperative planning
Fracture during insertion – rare, and typically managed during surgery
Implant wear or loosening over time – most implants last 20+ years
We will go through your personal risk profile and ensure that every step is taken to minimise complications and maximise success.
These include:
We will go through your personal risk profile and ensure that every step is taken to minimise complications and maximise success.
Recovery Timeline
Recovery from total hip replacement is progressive and structured. Most patients walk with assistance on the day of surgery or the following day, guided by physiotherapy. You’ll be encouraged to move early and often, as this promotes healing and reduces complications.
A typical recovery would be:Hospital stay: 1-2 nights Walking with a frame or crutches: First 1-2 weeks Return to driving: 2 weeks for a left hip (for an automatic car), 4 weeks for a right leg Back to office work or light duties: 2 to 4 weeks Full recovery and return to gentle sport: 3-6 months
Everyone recovers at their own pace. The goal is to restore a hip that feels natural, reliable, and pain-free — allowing you to return to the life you enjoy.
A typical recovery would be:
Everyone recovers at their own pace. The goal is to restore a hip that feels natural, reliable, and pain-free — allowing you to return to the life you enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my hip replacement last?
Most modern implants last 15–25 years or longer, depending on your activity level, weight, and bone quality. With appropriate care, many patients enjoy excellent function well beyond two decades.
What activities can I return to after surgery?
You can return to low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, golf, and hiking. High-impact sports or running may accelerate implant wear and should be discussed individually. A hip resurfacing may be a more suitable option if this is a specific goal of yours.
Are there any position restrictions after hip replacement?
One of the benefits of the anterior approach is that in the vast majority of patients, key muscles and tendons that stabilise the hip joint are not cut during the surgery. This results in a more stable hip joint with a lower rate of dislocation than the posterior approach. Consequently, there are no movement restrictions after anterior approach hip replacement. Any position that does not cause discomfort is allowed.
Are there any exercise restrictions after hip replacement?
In the majority of patients, Dr Robinson uses uncemented components for to perform hip replacements. These components are "wedged" into your bone, however your bone grows onto and into these components over a 3 month period after surgery. To ensure the components solidly integrate into your bone, it is important to return to activity slowly. A general guide is to walk no more than 1,000 steps per day for each week post surgery you are. Ie. Up to 3,000 steps per day in your third posteroperative week.
Can I go home the same day?
While there is a move globally to perform hip replacements on an outpatient basis, this remains uncommon. More frequently, patients are admitted for two nights postoperatively. If you wish to be discharged on the day of surgery, please discuss this in your consult.
What kind of anaesthetic will I have?
This procedure can be done either under a spinal anaesthetic with light sedation, or a general anaesthetic. There are pros and cons of each option. Your anaesthetist will discuss this with you prior to your surgery.
Is the surgery painful?
We use a multimodal pain control approach, including local anaesthetic, nerve blocks, and tailored medication. Pain is usually well managed, and many patients describe it as far less painful than they expected. Most patients are discharged on medications no stronger than paracetamol and ibuprofen.
When can I return to work?
This depends on your job, and varies among individuals:Desk-based work: 2-4 weeks
Light manual work: 6-8 weeks
Heavy or physically demanding roles: 8-12 weeks, depending on your recovery progress
Most modern implants last 15–25 years or longer, depending on your activity level, weight, and bone quality. With appropriate care, many patients enjoy excellent function well beyond two decades.
What activities can I return to after surgery?
You can return to low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, golf, and hiking. High-impact sports or running may accelerate implant wear and should be discussed individually. A hip resurfacing may be a more suitable option if this is a specific goal of yours.
Are there any position restrictions after hip replacement?
One of the benefits of the anterior approach is that in the vast majority of patients, key muscles and tendons that stabilise the hip joint are not cut during the surgery. This results in a more stable hip joint with a lower rate of dislocation than the posterior approach. Consequently, there are no movement restrictions after anterior approach hip replacement. Any position that does not cause discomfort is allowed.
Are there any exercise restrictions after hip replacement?
In the majority of patients, Dr Robinson uses uncemented components for to perform hip replacements. These components are "wedged" into your bone, however your bone grows onto and into these components over a 3 month period after surgery. To ensure the components solidly integrate into your bone, it is important to return to activity slowly. A general guide is to walk no more than 1,000 steps per day for each week post surgery you are. Ie. Up to 3,000 steps per day in your third posteroperative week.
Can I go home the same day?
While there is a move globally to perform hip replacements on an outpatient basis, this remains uncommon. More frequently, patients are admitted for two nights postoperatively. If you wish to be discharged on the day of surgery, please discuss this in your consult.
What kind of anaesthetic will I have?
This procedure can be done either under a spinal anaesthetic with light sedation, or a general anaesthetic. There are pros and cons of each option. Your anaesthetist will discuss this with you prior to your surgery.
Is the surgery painful?
We use a multimodal pain control approach, including local anaesthetic, nerve blocks, and tailored medication. Pain is usually well managed, and many patients describe it as far less painful than they expected. Most patients are discharged on medications no stronger than paracetamol and ibuprofen.
When can I return to work?
This depends on your job, and varies among individuals:
Ready to Learn More?
If hip pain is holding you back, I’d be happy to meet with you to assess your symptoms, review your imaging, and discuss whether a hip replacement is the right solution. Together, we’ll tailor a plan that suits your lifestyle, goals, and long-term joint health.