Whether it's walking, climbing stairs or even bending over to put on your shoes, your hip joints are hard at work every day. But a hip with advanced arthritis or damaged by a fracture or bone loss can cause severe pain and loss of mobility. If medications, weight loss, limiting physical activity and using a cane fail to provide relief from the pain, hip replacement or hip arthroplasty may be the appropriate treatment.

Hip replacement surgery is a successful and common joint replacement procedure. The surgery replaces severely damaged hip tissue with an artificial ball and socket that duplicate the function of the natural hip joint.

At Sopron Elizabeth Hospital many of the hip replacement operations are done using minimally invasive techniques that incorporate smaller surgical incisions than conventional hip replacement surgery. Patients who undergo minimal-incision hip replacement surgery generally have a less painful recovery and are physically active sooner.

Recovery

Patients can expect to stay in the hospital for 10 – 14 days and usually are encouraged to try walking using crutches or a walker the day after surgery. A physical therapist shows patients exercises to do in the hospital and at home. These strengthening and mobility exercises help speed recovery. Patients need to limit physical activity for six to eight weeks following the operation. After this recovery period and under the guidance of your UK GP or physiotherapist, patients are able to resume most normal activities and usually can enjoy a full recovery within three months.