A hip replacement is surgery to replace the hip joint with a prosthetic. It is one of the most commonly performed orthopaedic hip operations.

What does the hip joint consist of?

The hip joint is made up of two bones, the femur (thighbone), and the pelvis. The femoral head situated at the top of the thighbone is often described as the ‘ball’, and the part of the pelvis where the ball should sit, the acetabulum, is often referred to as the ‘socket’.

Why would I need a hip replacement?

There are many reasons why you might need hip replacement surgery. These include:

• Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is when the cartilage that protects the hip joint wears over time as you age. The friction can cause joint pain and reduce your mobility.

• A hip fracture

Hip fractures are a crack to the femur (top of the thigh bone), usually caused by trauma or a sports injury.

• Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory conditions when immune system attacks your healthy tissue. The tissue becomes inflamed and painful and if left untreated can cause damage to the joint.

• Septic arthritis

Septic arthritis can happen following a wound  on your joint which becomes infected. It is less common but if left untreated can be serious.

Types of hip replacement surgery

• Total hip replacement surgery

Your orthopaedic consultant will remove your damaged femoral head ‘ball’ and socket and replace each with prothesis.

Once your implant is in the joint your hip surgeon will bend and move your leg to ensure you have the right level of flexibility and that the fit is correct.

• Minimally invasive hip replacement surgery

Mr Panos Makrides carries out minimally invasive hip replacement surgery. He cuts a very small incision into the hip and uses equipment designed for this type of surgery in order to reduce damage to the tendons and muscles which in turn produces a faster recovery time.

• Partial hip replacement surgery

Your consultant orthopaedic surgeon will make an incision remove your damaged femoral head, and replace it with an artificial joint.

• Hip resurfacing surgery

Similar to a hip replacement operation, hip resurfacing is orthopaedic surgery to treat hip pain. Hip resurfacing trims and shaves the damaged bone and cartilage in your knee joint and a metal protector is put over the femoral head and socket.

• Robotic hip replacement surgery

Robotic hip replacement is an extremely precise way of performing hip replacement surgery, but with the assistance of a robotic arm. The Mako robotic procedure starts with very precise images being taken of the joint which allow your hip surgeon to take into account the smallest of details of your bone structure, alignment of your hip joints and the surrounding tissue.

The robotic arm positions itself to pre-planned tracking in order to help your surgeon follow the precise lines. This reduces risk of surrounding tissue and muscle being affected which in turn results in a faster recovery time.

How do I book a consultation?

You can book either a face to face or virtual consultation with Mr Makrides by contacting his secretary. You can find her details here.

Appointments are available via private medical insurance or paying for yourself. Click here for the most up to date self funding fees, and here for private medical insurance information.