What to Bring to the Hospital
Getting to the Joint
Replacing the Socket
Removing the Socket Surface
Inserting the Implant
Replacing the Ball Portion
Clearing and Shaping the Canal
Inserting the Implant
Closing the Wound

The hip is a ball and socket joint. The ball portion of the joint is called the femoral head, and is part of the upper leg bone (femur). The socket portion is called the acetabulum, and is part of the pelvic bone. The femoral head (ball) fits into the acetabulum (socket) and moves within its natural fluid, called synovial fluid, which helps to lubricate the joint during motion

In a healthy hip joint, the surfaces of these bones where the ball and socket rub together are very smooth and covered with a tough protective tissue called cartilage. Arthritis causes damage to the bone surfaces and cartilage. These damaged surfaces eventually become painful as they wear.

There are many ways to treat the pain caused by arthritis. One way is total hip replacement surgery. The decision to have total hip replacement surgery should be made very carefully after consulting your doctor and learning as much as you can about the hip joint, arthritis, and the surgery.

In total hip replacement surgery, the ball and socket that have been damaged by arthritis are removed and replaced with artificial parts made of metal and a durable plastic material. We call these artificial parts "implants," or "prostheses."

What to Bring to the Hospital
Below is a list of things you may want to bring with you to the hospital in preparation for your surgery. Talk with your physician as he/she may have additional information about preparing for your hospital stay.

• Your personal belongings should be left in the car until after surgery. Tell your family that your room will be assigned when you are in surgery or in recovery, at which point they can bring your personal items to your room.

• Personal grooming items that you may want to pack include a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, eyeglasses/contacts, comb, deodorant, shaving cream/electric razor, shampoo, lotion, undergarments, and a robe.

• Bring slippers or flat rubber-soled shoes for walking in the hallways.

• Bring loose fitting clothing for your trip home.

• Bring any medications you are currently taking. You should also write down your medication information to be given to the hospital staff. Be sure to include the name, strength, and how often you take the medications. Please communicate any allergies you might have to your doctors and the nursing staff.

• If you use a breathing exerciser (IBE), be sure to bring it with you from home, as you will probably need this right after surgery.

• Leave jewelry, credit cards, car and house keys, checkbooks, and items of personal value at home. Bring only enough pocket money for items such as newspapers, magazines, etc.

Getting to the Joint
The patient is first taken into the operating room and given anesthesia. After the anesthesia has taken effect, the skin around the upper thigh is thoroughly scrubbed with an antiseptic liquid.

An incision about six inches long is then made over the hip joint. The incision is gradually made deeper through muscle and other tissue until the bones of the hip joint are exposed.

Replacing the Socket Portion of the Joint
One type of implant that replaces the socket consists of a metal shell that is lined with a strong plastic liner.

Removing the Surface of the Socket
The leg is maneuvered until the femoral head is dislocated from the socket.

A special reamer is then used to remove the damaged cartilage and bone surface from the acetabulum, and to shape the socket so it will match the shape of the implant that will be inserted.

Inserting the Implant
The shell portion of the socket implant may be attached either by using a special kind of epoxy cement for bones, or by pressing the implant into the socket so that it fits very tightly and is held in place by friction. Some implants may have special surfaces with pores that allow bone to grow into them to help hold the implant in place. Depending on the condition of the patient bone, the surgeon may also decide to use screws to help hold the implant in place.

When the shell portion of the socket implant is in place, the plastic liner is locked into place inside the shell.

Replacing the Ball Portion of the Joint
The implant that replaces the ball consists of a long metal stem that fits down into the femur. The metal ball is mounted on top of this stem.

Removing the Ball
A special power saw is used to remove the damaged femoral head.

Clearing and Shaping the Canal
The upper leg bone has relatively soft, porous bone tissue around the center. This part of the bone is called cancellous bone. It surrounds the canal, which mainly contains blood vessels and fatty tissue.

Special instruments are used to clear some of the cancellous bone from the canal, and then to mold the inside walls of the canal to fit the shape of the implant stem.

Inserting the Implant
The stem implant may be held in place by either using the special cement for bones, or by making it fit very tightly in the canal. If cement is used, it is injected into the canal first, and then the implant is inserted into the canal. If cement is not used, the implant is simply inserted into the canal. Like the socket implant, the stem implant may have a special surface with pores that allow bone to grow into them.

On some implants, the stem and ball are one piece. On others, they may be two separate pieces. If the ball is a separate piece, it is usually secured to the top of the stem after the stem has been inserted.

Closing the Wound
When all the implants are in place, the surgeon places the new ball that is now part of the upper leg bone into the new socket that is secure within the pelvic bone. If necessary, the surgeon may adjust the ligaments that surround the hip to achieve the best possible hip function.

When the ligaments are properly adjusted, the surgeon sews the layers of tissue back into their proper position. A plastic tube may be inserted into the wound to allow liquids to drain from the site during the first few hours after surgery. After the tube is inserted, the edges of the skin are sewn together, and a sterile bandage is applied to the hip. Finally, the patient is taken to the recovery room.