Understanding Hip Pain, Surgery and Recovery
Hip pain is often caused by problems in the joint where the thigh bone meets the pelvis. This area, called the hip joint, works like a ball-and-socket and is covered with smooth cartilage that allows easy movement. Over time, this cartilage can wear out—a condition known as osteoarthritis—leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Inflammation or changes in joint shape, such as in femoroacetabular impingement or hip dysplasia, can also cause pain. When symptoms become severe and affect daily life, a total hip replacement may be considered to restore function and relieve pain.
A total hip replacement involves removing the damaged parts of the hip joint and replacing them with artificial components. The head of the femur is replaced with a metal or ceramic ball, and the acetabulum (hip socket) is fitted with a smooth cup. This allows the joint to move again without pain or stiffness.
Age alone isn’t a barrier to hip replacement. If pain severely limits your life, surgery might be appropriate even at a younger age. However, if possible, joint-preserving procedures such as hip arthroscopy, periacetabular osteotomy, or resurfacing may be considered first. These options aim to delay or avoid full joint replacement.
It is a modern surgical technique that allows the hip joint to be replaced through a smaller incision, often using the anterior (front) approach. It avoids cutting major muscles and tendons, which can lead to less pain, quicker recovery, better walking, and a more cosmetic scar — especially when using the bikini incision.
Most patients start walking the same day of the surgery and can expect to stay in hospital for a couple of nights at most. Daily activities become easier over the following weeks, and most people return to a normal lifestyle within 6–12 weeks. Physiotherapy is not always necessary if the recovery is uneventful.
Once healed, your hip replacement should be checked every few years with X-rays to ensure it remains well-positioned and stable.
Hip resurfacing is typically suited for younger, active patients with good bone quality who suffer from end-stage hip osteoarthritis. It is often considered for patients who want to maintain a high level of physical activity and preserve more bone for potential future surgeries. A detailed evaluation including imaging and functional assessment is required to determine whether this procedure is appropriate for you.
Yes, in most cases. Low-impact activities like hiking, swimming, cycling, and skiing are encouraged. High-impact sports may be possible depending on your condition, fitness, and implant type, but always consult your surgeon first.
Hip dysplasia means that the hip socket is too shallow or improperly shaped, leading to instability and early wear. In young adults, it can be treated with specialized procedures like periacetabular osteotomy (PAO), which reorients the socket to protect the joint and delay or prevent arthritis.
Persistent hip pain in athletes deserves careful evaluation. One common cause is femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), where bone shapes around the hip joint don’t match well, causing friction during movement. If untreated, FAI can lead to labral tears and arthritis. Early diagnosis is key.
Surgical dislocation is a safe technique that allows full access to the hip joint while protecting blood supply. It is used in selected cases to treat complex hip deformities, reshape the joint, and preserve it, especially in young patients with FAI or deformities from childhood diseases.
A PAO is a procedure that corrects hip dysplasia by reorienting the acetabulum (hip socket) to better cover the femoral head. It helps reduce pain, improve function, and delay arthritis by restoring normal joint mechanics while preserving your natural hip.
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that helps stabilize the hip joint. A tear in the labrum can cause pain, catching, or a feeling of instability in the hip. It often affects young, active individuals and can be caused by trauma, repetitive movements, or underlying conditions like femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). If you’ve been diagnosed with a labral tear, the next step depends on your symptoms. In many cases, physical therapy and activity modification can help. If the pain persists or limits your daily life, hip arthroscopy may be recommended to repair or remove the damaged tissue and address the cause of the tear.
Hip resurfacing is a bone-preserving alternative to total hip replacement. Instead of removing the entire femoral head, as in a traditional hip replacement, hip resurfacing involves capping the femoral head with a smooth metal or ceramic surface and placing a cup in the acetabulum. This approach maintains more of your natural bone and may allow for greater stability and a more natural feeling joint — especially beneficial for younger, active patients.