We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Medicine

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Hip Implant?

By Mike Howells
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,893
Share

A hip implant is a prosthetic device used to replace the hip joint. The implant itself actually consists of two parts, the acetabulum and the femoral head, which replace their natural counterparts following amputation. The acetabulum is the concave surface of the pelvis that forms the socket of the joint, while the femoral head is the top of the thigh bone. Both parts are inserted during the same hip replacement operation.

Hip implant procedures, which have been performed for more than 100 years, are usually undertaken to relieve severe cases of arthritis, or following a fracture of the pelvis. While the first replacement femur heads utilized ivory, stainless steel has been in use since the 1940s. The acetabulum part is made out of a plastic material known as Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). Both prosthetics are affixed to the surrounding bone tissue using a combination of acrylic bone cement and screws. More advanced designs avoid the use of cement entirely, and while more expensive, also last longer. Such units are generally offered to younger, more active patients because of their greater resiliency.

With advances in technology, hip replacement surgery can be performed earlier than in the past, and allows for the continuation of an active lifestyle with fewer compromises. It is considered the most successful type of orthopedic surgery, with a vast majority of recipients reporting an improvement following the operation. It remains, however, a last-resort option following pain management, physical therapy, and other treatments. Modern hip implant surgery can require as few as two incisions with the aid of computer guidance.

While the prognosis following hip implant surgery is generally good, there are complications that can arise, often relating to a condition known as osteolysis, which is the resorption of live bone tissue by the body. As the cement and implanted parts of a hip implant wear, small particles can flake off and cause this condition, which is progressive and often necessitates corrective surgery. Other issues can include stiffness and dull, chronic pain to severe trauma, like dislocation of the artificial joint.

A more conservative option to outright hip replacement is known as hip resurfacing. Instead of a complete amputation of the top of the femur, a metal cap is placed on top of the head of the bone. This allows for a more natural functioning of the joint than a full hip implant, and is a less traumatic procedure.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-hip-implant.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.