Hip Replacement Surgery
Anatomy of the Hip Joint
The hip joint is the largest weight-bearing joint in your body and supports the movement of your legs. It is a ball and socket synovial joint. The head of the femur (femoral head) is the ball part of the joint, while the acetabulum, located on the pelvis and made up of the combination of three bones, is the socket. The synovial fluid is a viscous liquid that lubricates the joint and allows it to move without friction.
A rim of soft cartilage, known as the labrum, surrounds the acetabulum, acting as a suction seal. It adds to stability by holding the ball securely in the hip socket. Injury to the labrum can cause a labral tear to the hip.
More information about Hip Replacement Surgery
What hip conditions does Dr Ambikaipalan treat?
Dr Ambikaipalan treats many conditions of the hip joint and pelvis including:
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteonecrosis of the hip
Arthritis in the hip
Pain following hip injuries
A hip injury
Hip disease from birth
Hip pain
Acetabular cysts
Hip labral tear
Why would I need hip replacement surgery?
A hip replacement may be recommended if there is significant pain around the hip joint that is interfering with your daily life. This may occur if you are suffering from hip conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or osteonecrosis.
What is involved in hip replacement surgery?
Hip replacement surgery can involve a partial (hip hemiarthroplasty) or full hip replacement (total hip arthroplasty).
In a partial hip replacement, only the femoral head (the ball) of the hip joint is replaced.
A total hip replacement addresses issues with the femoral head (the ball), the acetabulum (the socket), or both. It involves the removal of damaged bone and cartilage and the replacement of them metal, plastic or ceramic parts.
Where will my surgery take place?
Your surgery will be performed by Dr Ambikaipalan under general anaesthetic at the Royal Melbourne Hospital or the Epworth Hospital Richmond.
What will my recovery be like following hip replacement surgery?
The road to recovery varies depending on the age and general health of the patient.
Dr Ambikaipalan will walk you through pain management and post-op care instruction that will include wound care and rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation will be a big part of recovery. You will either be discharged to your home or you may be required to stay in rehabilitation hospital. Once you are home it is advisable to have someone who can help you.
Physical therapy will begin while you are still in the hospital and will most likely include care by a physiotherapist, who will instruct you on daily exercises to regain strength and range of motion in the joint.
Dr Ambikaipalan will provide you with a clear post-operative care plan for optimal post-op recovery.
What are the risks of hip replacement surgery?
Any surgery comes with potential risks, and as hip replacement surgery is a major surgery, it does come with significant risk and/or complications that may occur during or after surgery. While complications from hip replacement surgery are generally minor, the surgery does carry the risk of rare and sometimes serious complications such as infection or dislocation that may require revision surgery, exposing patients to more surgical risks and another long recovery time. Dr Ambikaipalan will discuss any potential risks with you at your consultation.