Types of Hip Replacement Surgery Explained

Hip pain is more common than many people realize, affecting nearly 15% of adults over age 60. When hip pain begins to limit everyday movement, including walking, sitting, and even sleeping, it’s often a sign of more serious joint damage. For many patients, hip replacement surgery can provide relief. The types of hip replacement surgery available, including MAKOplasty hip replacement and other robotic innovations, are transforming outcomes by improving precision, preserving healthy bone, and supporting smoother recovery. If you’re exploring your options, knowing how these procedures work and what sets them apart can help you make a confident, informed decision.

What Are the Causes of Hip Joint Pain, and When Does Surgery Help?

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint, where the femoral head (ball) fits into the acetabulum (socket). Over time, conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteonecrosis can wear down the cartilage that cushions this joint, leading to stiffness, inflammation, and pain.

More than 450,000 people receive total hip replacements in the U.S. every year, and it has one of the highest success rates of any surgery. Understanding the causes of hip joint pain is key to recognizing when surgical intervention may be needed. Common causes include:

• Increasing age or carrying extra weight.
• Repetitive stress on the joint from work or sports.
• Degenerative arthritis (wear and tear over time).
• Injury or trauma, including femoral head fracture replacement scenarios.
• Loss of blood supply to the joint (osteonecrosis).
• Chronic inflammation of tendons that damage cartilage and of the bursae that cushion the hip joint.
• Hip impingement (FAI), a condition where the joint rubs abnormally, causing groin pain.
• Labral tears, which cause damage to the ring of cartilage lining the socket.

When conservative treatments such as reducing aggravating movements, undergoing physical therapy, taking anti-inflammatory medications, and receiving corticosteroid injections no longer provide relief, hip replacement, also known as total hip arthroplasty, may be recommended to restore mobility and reduce pain.

What Is Replaced During Hip Surgery?

During artificial hip joint surgery, damaged portions of the joint are removed and replaced with prosthetic components designed to mimic natural movement. The procedure generally follows four key steps:

1. Femoral Head Removal: The damaged joint ball is carefully removed.
2. Stem and Ball Placement: A metal stem is inserted into the thigh bone, topped with a new ball component.
3. Socket Preparation: The worn cartilage in the socket is removed and replaced with a durable liner.
4. Spacer Insertion: A smooth spacer ensures proper fit and fluid movement between components.

This total hip arthroplasty surgical technique is highly effective, but how it’s performed can vary depending on the approach and technology used.

Anterior vs. Posterior Approach Hip Replacement

One of the most important distinctions in hip replacement surgery is the surgical approach used to access the joint:

• Anterior approach: Accesses the joint from the front of the hip, often minimizing muscle disruption and potentially allowing for faster recovery.
• Posterior approach: Accesses the joint from the back, offering excellent visibility and flexibility for complex cases.

Understanding the anterior vs. posterior approach to hip replacement helps patients and surgeons determine the best method based on anatomy, lifestyle, and overall health.

The Robotic Edge: MAKOplasty Hip Replacement

One of the most significant advancements in modern orthopedics is MAKOplasty hip replacement, a form of robotic-assisted surgery that enhances accuracy and consistency.
The benefits of robotic-assisted hip replacement include:

• Presurgical 3D mapping: A personalized surgical plan based on your unique anatomy is prepared.
• Greater precision: Real-time guidance helps surgeons place implants with exact alignment.
• Bone preservation: Only the necessary bone is removed to protect healthy tissue.
• Reduced risk of dislocation and loosening: Better alignment supports long-term stability.

Rather than replacing surgical expertise, robotic technology enhances it, giving surgeons advanced tools to deliver better outcomes.

Traditional vs. Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement

For many patients evaluating types of hip replacement, this comparison highlights why robotic-assisted procedures are increasingly preferred.

Joint Replacement Recovery and Hip Precautions

Joint replacement recovery varies by patient, but most individuals can expect gradual improvement in mobility and strength over several weeks.

Following surgery, your care team will guide you through important hip precautions, which may include:

• Avoiding certain movements that could stress the joint.
• Using assistive devices temporarily.
• Participating in physical therapy to rebuild strength.

With advances like robotic-assisted surgery, many patients experience more stable joints and a smoother rehabilitation process.

Why a Specialty Hospital Makes a Difference

Where you have your hip replacement surgery matters. At North Carolina Specialty Hospital, patients benefit from a focused, orthopedic-driven environment designed for elective surgery: offering personalized care, dedicated teams, and The Joint Commission accreditation.

NCSH provides access to some of the most accomplished orthopedic surgeons and advanced procedures in the Southeast, along with a patient experience that is second to none. From preadmission “Total Joint” classes through recovery at home, patients are supported every step of the way.

It’s important to note that hip replacement, like any procedure, carries risks, including infection and blood clots. However, advanced surgical techniques, sterile environments, and specialized postoperative care help minimize complications and support a safer recovery. Additionally, because the hospital does not operate an emergency room, fewer community-acquired illnesses, such as the flu or pneumonia, occur there. This is an added layer of protection for surgical patients.

Considering Hip Replacement? What To Do Next

If hip pain is affecting your quality of life, exploring the right types of hip replacement surgery performed by award-winning orthopedic experts can be the first step toward lasting relief. With innovations like MAKOplasty hip replacement and a specialized care environment, patients have more advanced options than ever before.

Ready to learn more? Request an appointment with the NCSH orthopedic team.