Hip replacement surgery is a highly successful procedure for the treatment of arthritis. Its success depends on correct patient selection, using an appropriate, proven prosthesis and utilising a proven, efficacious surgical technique.

Hip replacement surgery (known as hip arthroplasty) has been a very successful procedure over many decades. The success of the procedure, however, depends on using PROVEN implants in a PROVEN method. There have been many modifications in recent times which have been unsuccessful because the basic principles were ignored in favour of unproven new alternatives such as different surgical approaches and bearing surfaces (such as Metal on Metal).

The techniques and prostheses have been modified since its initial successful use by Sir John Charnley. Some prostheses now have 15-30 years of published history. They have been used in many hospitals around the world with uniformly successful outcomes. The prostheses used in this practice have excellent follow up results.

The technique utilised is a minimally invasive surgical approach and is combined with a fast stream rehabilitation routine; this allows a rapid recovery from the procedure without compromising the long term success. Specifically, a posterior approach (rather than anterior) is used which allows the capsule and tendons to be carefully reconstructed. Meticulous infiltration with a local anaesthetic permits immediate mobilisation, reducing the risk of blood clots. This also minimises the time spent in hospital, thereby reducing the risk of infection and other problems.

Benefits

• Reduced pain
• Walking immediately after surgery (within 2-3 hours)
• Long term health benefits by increasing walking and exercise
• Improves quality of life
• Enjoyable lifestyle activities, such as overseas travel

Considerations

• Willing to participate in a rapid recovery program
• Early mobilisation and discharge reduces the risk of blood clots
• Risk of dislocation similar to other techniques
• Infection rare (low muscle trauma and stretching leaves tissues healthier and less prone to infection)
• 4 measuring methods used intraoperatively to minimise risk of a leg length discrepancy
• Nerve injury rare (<1%) and generally recovers