OVERVIEW
A hip replacement is a common procedure whereby damaged or diseased parts of the hip joint are removed and/or replaced with artificial implants. Undoubtedly, this surgery can transform your life and allow you to complete daily activities that normally cause pain and discomfort.
When faced with hip replacement surgery in Australia, it’s only natural to wonder ‘how long does a hip replacement surgery take’. Here’s everything you need to know about the procedure.
Understanding Your Type of Surgery
How long does a hip replacement take? The surgery that you will undergo is personal to your needs. Understanding the type of surgery that you require is key in determining how long your hip replacement surgery will take to perform.
Total hip replacement
This is the most common type of surgery and involves the replacement of your ball and socket joint with artificial counterparts. In most cases, surgery will take between one and two hours and you can expect to stay in hospital for a couple of days afterwards as you begin to recover.
Partial hip replacement
In some cases, only a partial hip replacement is required where only one side of the hip joint will need replacing. If you are suffering from a fracture, this will likely be the type of surgery that you need. Again, you can expect surgery to take between one and two hours.
Hip resurfacing
On occasion, a full or partial hip replacement is not required and your hip surgeon can remove the worn out or damaged areas of your hip whilst leaving almost all of the socket. The most common procedure is the posterior approach where the surgeon will begin by making an incision on the outside. Due to the place of entry, this approach can involve a lengthier recovery than the alternative; an anterior approach to a hip replacement. Consider a surgeon that uses the latter – by entering through the groin, the operation goes between muscles instead of through them, reducing trauma and speeding up the recovery time.
Ongoing Recovery Times
Once your surgery is completed, you are undoubtedly faced with an ongoing recovery time of between six weeks and three months. The actual time taken will depend on your age and general health, your mobility levels and the type of surgery performed.
In most cases, you can expect rehabilitation to begin within 24 hours, with the distance and frequency of walking increasing over the coming days. You should be able to return home within a few days and return to work when advised by your doctor.
Get in Touch With the Expert for More Information
If you are looking for more information about how long does a hip replacement take, get in touch with Dr David Slattery today. A knowledgeable, experienced and highly decorated orthopaedic surgeon, he can answer all of your questions with ease.
Complete his online form or call Dr Slattery on 03 5752 5020 to get started.
Arranging a Consultation with our Hip Specialist Surgeon
Dr Slattery is a specialist in complex knee, pelvic and hip surgery with experience in multiple different kinds of joint replacement and treatment. His experience as a hip surgeon in this area extends to including total hip replacement, robotic hip replacement, hip arthroscopy and hip resurfacing.
Centred on his patient’s needs, Dr Slattery believes in tailoring treatments suited to each individual. During your hip treatment consultation, at any one of his three Melbourne consulting rooms, you will be guided through the process while being informed of any risks that may be involved with the procedure.
To arrange a consultation with Dr Slattery, please contact his office by calling (03) 5752 5020. Otherwise, please make an appointment through our online contact form.
To book an appointment please contact Dr Slattery’s rooms on
03 5752 5020
We aim to see all fractures within 24hrs