Wellness Blog

Hip replacement, also known as Total Hip Arthroplasty, involves replacing the damaged ball-and socket joint of your hip with artificial components.

Hip replacement surgery can be either

1. Total Hip Replacement (replacing both the ball and socket) or
2. Partial Hip Replacement or Hemiarthroplasty (replacing only the ball)

The type of fixation is determined by type of disease, bone quality, activity level and weight of the patient. 

The hip implant consists of three parts:

Stem: A metal stem (titanium, cobalt-chrome, or stainless steel) is inserted into the thighbone (femur).

Ball: A ball (cobalt-chrome) fits on top of the stem.

Socket: A plastic liner and a porous titanium shell forms the socket, which fits onto the pelvic bone. 

Types of Hip Implant Materials:

Metal-on-Polyethylene: The ball surface is metal, and the socket liner is plastic (polyethylene)

Ceramic-on-Polyethylene: The ball surface is ceramic, and the socket liner is plastic (polyethylene).

Ceramic-on-Ceramic: Both the ball surface and socket lining are ceramic. 

Ceramic-on-Metal: The ball is ceramic, and the socket lining is metal.

Types of Implant Fixation:

Cemented implants: The metal is fixed to the bone with bone cement.

Uncemented implants: Certain implants have textured surfaces that allow new bone to grow into the implant, securing it in place.

Implants label or sticker: The implant labels/stickers serve as a crucial record of the specific implant used in a procedure, ensuring accurate identification and traceability. The label from the box of the components of the implant is stuck on a page in your hospital chart and also in the discharge summary. The label or sticker would contain the necessary information.