Medically Reviewed by Eric Heimberger, MD

In any surgery, there is some level of risk.  However, advancements in technology and surgical technique for hip joint replacements has raised the level of success and lowered the possibility of infection, blood loss, nerve damage or other complications says McLeod Orthopedic specialist Dr. Eric Heimberger.

Key points from the video:

• The goals of surgery are to 1) try to restore your function back to what was before arthritis developed, 2) decrease your pain and 3) return you to the normal activities of daily living.
• There are several different surgeries for hip arthritis:  hip arthroscopy, osteotomy, hip resurfacing and total hip joint replacement.
• A hip replacement replaces the ball that is mounted on a stem in the leg and a cup inserted in the hip bone.
• Most patients are up and walking the same day as the surgery.
• The average hospital stay is now 1 or 2 days.
• Physical therapy starts on the same day of surgery.  Most patients probably need 2 to 3 weeks of therapy.
• Complications are like any other surgery:
  • Infection – less than 1%
  • Blood loss
  • Nerve Injury – less than 1%
  • Dislocation – Now that there are different size ball and cups to fit the patient’s body size are more anatomic, dislocations are rare.

Here are some other helpful articles:

What’s the Scoop on Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements?  

Cemented or Uncemented Hip Replacements?  What Your Best Choice?  

To find an orthopedic specialist near you, click here.