Hip replacement

An operation that replaces a worn or damaged hip joint with an artificial one to ease pain and help you move more easily.

✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review

In short

A hip replacement is mainly for pain relief and better movement when severe hip damage is affecting your daily life.
It is major surgery, not a quick fix; full recovery can take up to a year and depends a lot on your own rehabilitation.
Modern implants are designed to last at least 15 years, and many last longer, but no implant lasts forever and some people need a further (revision) operation.
It is usually offered only after non-surgical treatments have been tried, and timing is a shared decision with your surgeon.

A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.

At a glance

TypeMajor joint surgery

AnaestheticSpinal anaesthetic, general anaesthetic, or both

How long it takesUsually 1–2 hours

Hospital stayOften 1–3 nights; some centres do day-case surgery in selected, fitter patients

Time off workSeveral weeks to a few months, depending on your job

When you'll see resultsPain often eases within weeks; full recovery can take up to a year

On the NHS?Widely available on the NHS when arthritis or damage is severe and other treatments have not helped

A general guide. Your surgeon will give you advice for your situation.

Best fit

Often gives good, lasting relief from hip pain that has not settled with other treatments

Pause if

Your hip pain is mild or controlled well enough with exercise, weight management and pain relief.

Main recovery point

You are helped to stand and take a few steps with a physiotherapist, usually with a frame or crutches. You are given pain relief and clot-prevention...

Good aftercare

A clear, supervised physiotherapy and rehabilitation plan.

Day of surgery to day 2

You are helped to stand and take a few steps with a physiotherapist, usually with a frame or crutches. You are...

First 1–2 weeks

You keep doing your exercises, gradually walking further. The wound is healing; you follow advice on movements to...

Weeks 3–6

Walking usually becomes easier and you rely less on aids. Many people can manage stairs and light daily tasks...

6 weeks to 3 months

Strength and stamina continue to improve. Many return to office work and gentle activity. Higher-impact activity...

Medical line illustration of the hip and pelvis joint for Hip replacement. — Illustration only - not a diagnosis, medical advice or a promise of result. Your anatomy and treatment plan may differ. Vuemedics does not publish before-and-after photos.

What is a hip replacement?

A hip replacement is an operation to replace a worn, damaged or diseased hip joint with an artificial joint (an implant). The hip is a ball-and-socket joint; the surgeon removes the damaged ball and socket and fits a new metal, plastic or ceramic version.

It is most often done for hip osteoarthritis, when the cartilage that cushions the joint wears away and the bones rub together. It can also be done for rheumatoid arthritis, a hip fracture, or damage from conditions affecting the bone.

The main aim is to reduce pain and improve how well you can move and do everyday things. It does not make the hip 'like new' or younger than your age, and it does not treat arthritis in other joints.

Most people are only considered for surgery once pain, stiffness or loss of movement is affecting daily life and other treatments — such as exercise, weight management, painkillers or physiotherapy — have not given enough relief.

Types & techniques

There isn't one single operation. The right approach depends on you — which is something to discuss with your surgeon.

Total hip replacement

Both the ball (top of the thigh bone) and the socket are replaced. This is the most common type and is used for most people with worn hip joints.

Cemented or uncemented fixation

The new parts can be held in place with special bone cement, fitted so bone grows onto them, or a mix of both. Your surgeon chooses based on your age, bone quality and activity.

Hip resurfacing

Instead of removing the whole ball, the surfaces are reshaped and capped with metal. It is used much less often now and is generally only considered in a small group of younger, active patients after careful discussion of metal-related risks.

Partial hip replacement (hemiarthroplasty)

Only the ball is replaced, not the socket. This is mainly used after certain hip fractures, often in older or frailer patients, rather than for arthritis.

Revision hip replacement

A second operation to replace or repair a hip implant that has worn, loosened, become infected or dislocated. It is usually more complex than the first operation.

Surgery versus carrying on without it

	Hip replacement	No surgery yet
Pain relief	Often good, once recovered	Depends on other treatments
Recovery effort	Weeks to months of rehab	None from surgery
Main risks	Surgical and anaesthetic risks	Pain and mobility may worsen
Reversible?	No — bone is removed	Yes — you can decide later

Many people manage for years with exercise, weight control and pain relief before choosing surgery. Waiting is reasonable while symptoms are bearable.

Preparing for your surgery

Talk through why surgery is being suggested, what it can and cannot fix, and whether it is the right time for you.
Ask whether you have tried enough non-surgical treatment first, such as physiotherapy, weight management and pain relief.
Tell the team about all your health conditions and medicines, including blood thinners, as these affect safety and planning.
If you smoke, stopping beforehand lowers your risk of wound and chest problems; managing weight and other conditions also helps.
Go to any pre-operative assessment, where blood tests, heart checks and an anaesthetic review may be arranged.
Plan your home: think about stairs, a raised toilet seat, removing trip hazards and having help for the first few weeks.
Arrange time off work and a lift home, as you will not be able to drive for a while.

What happens

The operation is usually done under a spinal anaesthetic (numbing you from the waist down), a general anaesthetic (asleep), or a combination, often with strong pain relief around the hip. Your anaesthetist will discuss the safest choice for you.

The surgeon makes a cut over the hip, removes the damaged ball and socket, and fits the new joint. The new parts may be cemented in place or fitted so your bone grows onto them. The operation usually takes around one to two hours.

Afterwards you are watched closely as the anaesthetic wears off. Many people are helped to stand and take a few steps with a physiotherapist on the same day or the next day. You will be given pain relief and medicine to lower the risk of blood clots.

Is this operation right for me?

A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.

May not be suitable if…

Your hip pain is mild or controlled well enough with exercise, weight management and pain relief.
You have an active infection, or a medical condition that makes major surgery and anaesthetic too risky right now.
Your symptoms come mainly from another source, such as the back or a different joint, rather than the hip itself.
You are not able or willing to take part in the rehabilitation that recovery depends on.

Delay surgery if…

You have an active infection anywhere, including skin, urine, chest or dental infection.
Other health conditions (such as poorly controlled diabetes, heart or chest problems) need optimising first.
You are still working through non-surgical options and your symptoms are bearable.
Your weight, smoking or another modifiable factor could be improved first to lower your risk.
You cannot yet arrange the help and time off you will need to recover safely.

Alternatives to discuss

Carrying on with structured exercise and physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles around the hip.
Weight management to reduce load on the joint.
Pain relief and, in some cases, a joint injection for temporary relief.
Walking aids and changes to daily activities.
Waiting and reviewing, as it is reasonable to delay surgery while symptoms are manageable.

Before you decide

Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.

What matters most to me?

Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.

What are all my options?

Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.

What would make me pause?

Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.

What happens if I do nothing today?

For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.

Anaesthetic choices

The safest option depends on the operation, your health, the facility and your surgeon/anaesthetist. Ask what is planned and why.

Spinal anaesthetic

Numbs you from the waist down while you stay awake or lightly sedated. Often used and may reduce some risks compared with general anaesthetic.

General anaesthetic

You are fully asleep. May be combined with a spinal or with local pain relief around the hip.

Nerve blocks and local pain relief

Injections around the hip or nerves to reduce pain after surgery and lower the need for strong painkillers.

Benefits

Often gives good, lasting relief from hip pain that has not settled with other treatments
Can improve how far and how comfortably you can walk
Can make everyday tasks — dressing, stairs, sleeping — easier
May reduce the need for regular strong painkillers over time
For many people, improves overall quality of life and independence

Risks & complications

More common

Pain, bruising and swelling around the hip in the early weeks
Tiredness and reduced stamina while you recover
A small difference in leg length, which is often so slight that most people do not notice it
Temporary need for walking aids and help at home

Less common

Wound infection, usually treated with antibiotics
Blood clot in the leg (DVT), which the team takes steps to prevent
Hip dislocation, especially in the first weeks before the tissues heal
Nerve or blood vessel injury near the hip
Ongoing pain or stiffness that is not fully relieved

Rare but serious

Deep infection in the joint that may need further surgery
Blood clot travelling to the lungs (pulmonary embolism), which can be serious
Fracture of the bone around the implant
Loosening or wearing of the implant over time, needing a revision operation
Serious medical complications such as heart attack, stroke, or, very rarely, death

The biggest specific risks to discuss are dislocation in the early weeks, infection, blood clots, and the chance that the implant may eventually loosen or wear and need replacing. Your personal risk depends on your age, weight, other health conditions and how active you are. Ask your surgeon how these apply to you and what is done to lower each risk.

Published figures to discuss

Outcomes are generally good, but exact risk figures vary by patient, surgeon, implant and how complications are defined. Rates are higher in older, frailer patients, in those having surgery after a fracture, and in revision (repeat) operations. The figures below are cautious and should be discussed in the context of your own health.

Figure	Reported range	How to interpret it	Source / confidence
Hip dislocation	Often around 2–4% in published primary hip series; some NHS information quotes around 1 in 50	Highest in the first weeks before the tissues heal; following movement advice lowers the risk.	NHS — Hip replacementnhs.ukPublished figure
Deep infection of the joint	Rare, typically under 1% in NJR patient information and many primary hip series	Can need further surgery; risk is higher in revision operations and some health conditions.	Hip replacement complication incidence study — PubMedpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure
Implant still in place long term	Most modern hips last 15 years or longer; NICE/ODEP benchmarks favour implants with under 5% revision at 10 years	Younger, more active people are more likely to need a revision during their lifetime.	NICE NG226 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and managementnice.org.ukPublished figure
Blood clot on the lungs (pulmonary embolism)	Rare; older large series report around 0.9%, with contemporary prevention reducing risk	Clot-prevention medicine and early movement are used to reduce the risk.	Hip replacement complication incidence study — PubMedpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure

These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.

Recovery — what to expect, and when

Recovery is gradual and needs your active effort. Many people feel their old hip pain ease quite early, but rebuilding strength, movement and confidence takes weeks to months, and reaching your final result can take up to a year.

Day of surgery to day 2

You are helped to stand and take a few steps with a physiotherapist, usually with a frame or crutches. You are given pain relief and clot-prevention treatment.

First 1–2 weeks

You keep doing your exercises, gradually walking further. The wound is healing; you follow advice on movements to avoid so the hip does not dislocate.

Weeks 3–6

Walking usually becomes easier and you rely less on aids. Many people can manage stairs and light daily tasks. Driving may be possible once you can do an emergency stop safely — ask your surgeon.

6 weeks to 3 months

Strength and stamina continue to improve. Many return to office work and gentle activity. Higher-impact activity is introduced only on your team's advice.

3–12 months

The hip keeps settling and improving. It can take up to a year to feel the full benefit and do all your usual activities comfortably.

What's normal — and not a worry

Bruising, swelling and discomfort around the hip and thigh in the early weeks
Feeling tired and needing more rest than usual
Needing a frame, crutches or a stick at first
A small area of numbness near the scar
Slow, steady gains rather than a sudden return to normal

Aftercare

Do your physiotherapy exercises as advised — your recovery depends heavily on this.
Follow advice on positions and movements to avoid in the early weeks to protect against dislocation.
Keep the wound clean and dry, and watch for signs of infection.
Take pain relief and any clot-prevention medicine as directed.
Use any aids and equipment recommended for the bathroom, chair and bed.
Build up walking gradually and avoid high-impact activity until cleared.
Keep follow-up appointments so healing and the implant can be checked.
Tell future dentists and doctors that you have a hip implant if asked.

Before-surgery checklist

Crutches or walking frame arranged
Raised toilet seat and chair support if advised
Trip hazards (loose rugs, cables) cleared at home
Help arranged for the first 1–2 weeks
Pain relief and clot-prevention medicine collected
Time off work and a lift home booked
Clinic and out-of-hours contact numbers saved

Scars and how they heal

You will have a scar over the hip, the length of which depends on the approach used. It is usually firm and pink at first and fades over months. Some numbness around the scar is normal and may be lasting. Keeping the wound clean and protected from strong sun while it heals helps it settle.

⚠ Get urgent help if…

Increasing redness, heat, swelling or discharge from the wound (possible infection)
A high temperature or feeling generally unwell after surgery
Calf pain, swelling, redness or warmth (possible blood clot)
Sudden breathlessness or chest pain — call 999, as this may be a clot on the lungs
A sudden change in leg length, severe pain, or being unable to move or bear weight (possible dislocation or fracture)
Bleeding that will not stop, or a wound that opens up

Who to contact: your surgeon or clinic first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.

General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your surgeon gives you.

Results & realistic expectations

A good result usually means much less hip pain and easier, more confident movement, allowing you to return to many everyday activities. Most people are pleased with the outcome, but some still have a degree of discomfort, stiffness or a limp, and high-impact sport is not always advised.

A hip replacement does not stop arthritis in other joints and does not restore a young, fully normal hip. Your surgeon should be clear about what level of activity is realistic for you.

How long it lasts

Modern hip implants are designed to last at least 15 years, and national joint registry data show that many last well beyond this, especially in older, less active patients. No implant is guaranteed to last forever: over time, parts can wear or loosen, and a further (revision) operation may eventually be needed. Younger and more active people place more demand on the joint, so are more likely to need revision during their lifetime.

Combining with other procedures

Hip replacement is generally done as a single operation on one hip. If both hips are badly affected, surgery is usually staged one at a time, though some centres consider doing both together in carefully selected patients. This should be a clear, individual discussion about the added risks and recovery.

Follow-up & long-term care

You will usually be reviewed after surgery to check the wound, your movement and progress with physiotherapy. Many people are then followed up at intervals, sometimes with X-rays, to check the implant over the years. You should be told who to contact if you have concerns such as new pain, swelling or signs of infection.

Keep up strengthening and mobility exercises long term
Manage your weight to reduce load on the new joint
Stay active with lower-impact activities your team recommends
Attend any long-term implant check-ups offered
Report new or worsening hip pain rather than ignoring it

Revision and secondary surgery reality

No implant lasts forever; some people need a revision operation as parts wear or loosen.
Revision surgery is usually more complex, with a longer recovery than the first operation.
Infection, repeated dislocation or fracture around the implant can also lead to further surgery.
Metal-on-metal implants and hip resurfacing have specific long-term risks and need careful monitoring.

Ask your surgeon for their own revision rate, what counts as a revision, and what is included in the written aftercare policy.

What good aftercare looks like

A clear, supervised physiotherapy and rehabilitation plan.
Written advice on movements to avoid, wound care and clot prevention.
A named contact and out-of-hours route for problems such as infection or dislocation.
Planned follow-up, sometimes with X-rays, to check the implant over time.
Honest advice about activity limits and long-term joint care.

What affects the cost

Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:

The surgeon's fee and the anaesthetist's fee
Hospital or facility fee, theatre time and length of stay
The type of implant used
How complex your case is, including any previous hip surgery
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation included in the package
Follow-up appointments and any X-rays
What is covered if a complication or further surgery is needed

Make sure your written quote includes

The surgeon's and anaesthetist's fees
The hospital, theatre and inpatient stay
The implant and any equipment such as crutches
Physiotherapy and follow-up appointments
What happens, and who pays, if a complication occurs
The cancellation and rescheduling policy
How any revision surgery would be funded

On the NHS? Hip replacement is widely available on the NHS when hip damage is severe and other treatments have not helped; private care may be chosen for shorter waits or choice of surgeon.

You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including aftercare and any revision — before you decide.

Choosing a surgeon safely

Check your surgeon is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
Make sure they practise at a CQC-registered location, and look for membership of bodies like BAAPS or BAPRAS.
You're entitled to a two-stage consent process with time to reflect (a cooling-off period). The surgeon who will operate must consent you — not a salesperson.
Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers, discounts or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including aftercare and any revision — before you decide.

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Questions to ask your medical professional

Take this to your consultation. A good surgeon will welcome every one of these.

Why do you think I need a hip replacement now, rather than continuing other treatments?
What type of implant and fixation would you use for me, and why?
What are my personal risks of dislocation, infection and blood clots?
How likely am I to need a further (revision) operation in my lifetime?
What activities and sports will I realistically be able to do afterwards?
What does the rehabilitation involve and how much will it depend on me?
Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
Will you be the surgeon who carries out my operation, and who looks after me afterwards?
What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
What does a realistic result look like — and what can this operation not achieve?
What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?

Frequently asked questions

Will a hip replacement get rid of my pain completely?

It often gives very good pain relief, but not everyone becomes completely pain-free. Some people have some lasting discomfort, stiffness or a limp. Your surgeon should explain what is realistic for you.

How long does a hip replacement last?

Modern implants are designed to last at least 15 years, and many last longer. Younger, more active people are more likely to need a further operation during their lifetime because they place more demand on the joint.

How long is the recovery?

Many people are walking with aids within a day or two and managing daily tasks within weeks. It can take up to a year to feel the full benefit and return to all your usual activities.

Can I have it done on the NHS?

Yes. Hip replacement is widely available on the NHS when arthritis or damage is severe and other treatments have not helped. Some people choose private care for speed or choice of surgeon.

Will I be able to play sport again?

Many people return to gentle and lower-impact activities. High-impact sports are not always advised because they can wear the implant faster. Ask your surgeon what is sensible for you.

Do I really need surgery now, or can I wait?

If your symptoms are bearable and other treatments are helping, it is often reasonable to wait. Surgery is usually considered when pain and loss of movement are clearly affecting your daily life.

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How we made this page

Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →

Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.

Sources & standards: NHS — Hip replacement NHS — Complications of a hip replacement National Joint Registry — Hip replacement (patients) NICE NG226 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management Versus Arthritis — Hip replacement surgery National Joint Registry reports — executive summary Hip replacement complication incidence study — PubMed

Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.

Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.