The orthopedic surgeon accesses the ‘parts’ to be replaced through an incision over the hip joint; incisions can range from minimally invasive to several inches. “The length of the incision is determined by the patient’s particular condition and anatomy,” says Dr. Whitaker. “Our goal is to perform a safe and successful procedure that will relieve joint pain and improve function and quality of life for the patient. Decisions about the length of the incision are made based on that goal.”

During the surgery, the surgeon removes the damaged parts of the hip joint and replaces them with new, manmade parts, or prosthesis. These parts – consisting of the ball at the top of the thigh bone and the socket in the pelvis – are typically made of metal and advanced plastic materials that allow for a natural gliding motion when the new joint is in place.

There are two methods of securing the new ball and the new socket to the patient’s existing, healthy bone. In one method, the surgeon applies special surgical cement to a prosthesis that has a smooth surface, quickly creating a firm bond.With the other method, the surgeon uses a prosthesis that has a fine mesh of holes on the surface to be attached; this allows the patient’s own bone to grow into the tiny holes and hold the prosthesis in place. Sometimes these methods are used in combination with each other – for example, a cemented ball may be paired with an uncemented socket.When choosing a method for securing the new prosthesis, the surgeon is guided by the patient’s unique situation.