Partial hip replacement surgery

If you've fallen or had an injury that resulted in a hip fracture, hip replacement surgery may be in your future. Whether you need partial or total hip replacement surgery to treat a diseased or damaged hip depends on the type and extent of your injury or condition.

HonorHealth's orthopedic surgeons perform partial hip replacement, technically known as hemiarthroplasty, almost exclusively when the ball-like head of the thighbone (the femoral head) has been fractured or traumatically injured. The procedure replaces the femoral head with a prosthetic implant made of a strong polished metal or ceramic material. The original cup of the hip socket, known as the acetabulum, remains intact.

The procedure is considered a partial hip replacement because the surgeon replaces only the damaged portion of the hip joint.

Specialists don't recommend partial hip replacement for treating injuries or conditions related to arthritis. By nature of the degenerative effects of arthritis, the entire hip joint is, or will be, affected. If you show signs of arthritis, then your orthopedic surgeon probably will recommend total hip replacement surgery.

After hip surgery

Surgical advances mean shorter hospital stays after surgery. In most cases, you'll begin standing and walking with support the day of your surgery. You'll probably go home within 24-48 hours. Before you're discharged from the hospital, your care team will ensure that you're able to:

• Use the bathroom without assistance.
• Walk with an assistive device on level surfaces.
• Climb up and down two or three stairs.
• Perform exercises that your doctor wants you to do at home.

Your recovery plan probably also will include comprehensive outpatient physical therapy. It will help you regain strength, improve movement and function, and get you back to doing the activities you enjoy.