Total Hip Replacement: The Parts Explained
by Cory Calendine, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, Hip and Knee Specialist, Updated August 31, 2021
Total hip replacement (THR), or hip arthroplasty, is a highly successful surgical procedure designed to alleviate chronic pain and restore mobility by replacing damaged joint surfaces with advanced prosthetic components. A standard hip implant consists of four primary parts: the acetabular shell (cup), a durable plastic liner, a spherical femoral head (ball), and a femoral stem. By addressing bone-on-bone friction caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or avascular necrosis, these biocompatible materials replicate the natural mechanics of the hip joint. Understanding these components is the first step for patients in Franklin, TN, and beyond who are transitioning from conservative treatments to a long-term surgical solution for joint health.
When it comes to improving quality of life, hip replacement is one of the most successful surgeries in medicine. Orthopaedic surgeons perform more than 300,000 hip replacements in the US every year. Hip implants consist of (4) basic plastic and metal components that replace the bone-on-bone surface damage caused by joint arthritis. In the video below, Dr. Calendine discusses the actual implant components involved in total knee replacement surgery.
Is Hip Replacement Right for Me?
If you’re one of the millions of Americans suffering from pain caused by arthritis or an injury to the hip, and you haven’t experienced adequate relief with conservative treatment options, hip replacement surgery might be right for you. Hip replacement surgery can be an effective option for patients with:
- Severe hip pain or stiffness resulting from noninflammatory degenerative joint disease (including osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis, or avascular necrosis), and inflammatory rheumatoid or post-traumatic joint arthritis, and
- Joint pain patients who haven’t experienced adequate relief with conservative treatment options, like bracing, medication or joint fluid supplements
RELATED INFORMATION:
- Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement Surgery [Vlog, Cory Calendine, MD]
- Common Hip Arthritis Symptoms [Article, Cory Calendine, MD]
Cory Calendine, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in anterior hip replacement, robotic joint replacement, and partial and total hip and knee replacement at the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee in Franklin, Tennessee. If you are struggling with persistent hip or pain and are looking for the latest treatment options, CONTACT Dr. Calendine for an evaluation today.
