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Hip Replacement Surgery

Normal hip joint

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Osteoarthritis of the hip

Picture of a hip joint affected by osteoarthritis

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In osteoarthritis, the cartilage that protects and cushions the joints breaks down over time. As the cartilage wears down, the bone surfaces rub against each other. This damages the tissue and bone, which then causes pain. The joint space in this hip joint is narrowed due to cartilage loss and bone spur formation.

Damaged cartilage and bone are removed from hip socket and femur

Picture of hip replacement: Step 1 - Damaged cartilage and bone are removed

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Removal of cartilage from the hip socket (acetabulum) and removal of the upper end of the femur

Hip socket component is placed

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Placement of metal acetabular component

Femoral component is placed

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Placement of metal femoral component

Hip replacement is complete

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Completed hip replacement

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
Last Revised	April 8, 2011

Last Revised: April 8, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology

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