The hip is one the body’s largest weight-bearing joints. The hip is composed of the rounded head of the
femur (thigh bone) joining the
acetabulum (socket) at the pelvis in a ball-and-socket arrangement. In a healthy joint,
articular cartilage lines the
acetabulum and covers the head of the
femur. These smooth durable surfaces ensure that the ball glides easily within the socket, a movement that should be painless. Tough bands of tissue called
ligaments help reinforce the hip for stability. The entire joint is lined with a thin, smooth tissue called
synovial. In a healthy hip, this membrane produces a small amount of fluid that lubricates and almost eliminates friction in the hip.
Normally, all of these parts of your hip work in harmony, allowing you to move easily without pain.
Why are total hip replacements performed?
Total hip replacements are often recommended by orthopedic surgeons for patients who:
 |
have a painful, disabling joint disease of the hip resulting from a severe form of arthritis;
|
|
are not likely to achieve satisfactory results from less invasive procedures, such as arthrodesis (artificial stiffening or fixation of the joint), medication, physical therapy, or joint supplements;
|
|
have bone stock that is poor quality or inadequate for other reconstructive techniques. |
