For hip joints that have developed severe damage from osteoarthritis and other conditions such as avascular necrosis or dysplasia, total hip replacement may be a good option to alleviate pain and restore function. This involves rebuilding the joint by placing a prosthetic socket in the acetabulum, or pelvic bone, and prosthetic stem in the femur, or thighbone.
At Ohio State, our surgeons utilize a variety of different surgical approaches including posterior, direct anterior, and direct lateral. The approach is specifically selected for each patient depending on various factors including patient anatomy, activity level, etc. The outcomes for these three approaches to hip replacement are similar by three to six months following the operation. You should expect to be off work for six weeks and will require six to 12 weeks of physical therapy to ensure a full recovery.
We were the first hospital in central Ohio to offer robotic total hip replacement as an option. When appropriate, the surgery is performed using a robotic arm assist that helps doctors achieve a new level of precision in placing and aligning the hip implant.
What to expect during hip replacement surgery
You begin with a CT scan of your hip that is used to generate a 3-D virtual model of your unique anatomy. This virtual model is used to create your personalized preoperative plan.
Using the robotic arm, the surgeon will prepare the hip socket and position the implant based on your personalized plan. The MAKO system also allows your surgeon to make adjustments to your plan during surgery as needed. All of these factors work together to precisely align the implant: your specialized plan, the robotic arm’s precision, the flexibility to make changes and the expertise of your surgeon.
What to expect after hip replacement surgery
After surgery, your surgeon, nurses and physical therapists will set goals with you to get you back to your favorite activities, as recovery times and time in the hospital vary greatly by patient. Your care team will closely monitor your condition and progress as you get back on the move. You can enhance your joint replacement care plan using Care Companion in your MyChart account, where you'll receive notifications for tasks such as taking your medication, reviewing educational content and answering questions about how you're progressing.
Learn how to prepare, and what to expect, before, during and after hip replacement surgery.
