Hip Implants

Big Femoral Head (MicroPort)

Big Femoral Head (MicroPort)

Multiple types of hip implants are available for different hip replacement approaches, types of patients, and surgeon preferences. Total hip replacement implants replace your arthritic or damaged hip joint eliminating bearing surfaces that are causing you pain. The head of the femur (thigh bone) is replaced by a metal stem with a ball on top. A metal cup is placed in the acetabulum (hip bone socket) and the ball is fitted into the cup creating a new hip joint. Hip Resurfacing implants consist of a reinforcing cap fitted to the upper end of the femur (thigh bone) and a cup inserted into the acetabulum (hip bone socket) similar to that used in a total hip replacement.
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Hip Implant

Hip Implants

Arthritis ‘wear and tear’ of the hip joint leads many to consider hip implants. Depending on the severity of your condition, you and your hip surgeon may discuss and consider total hip replacement, hip resurfacing or partial hip replacement. […]

hip replacement implants

Total Hip Replacement Implants

A total hip replacement replaces your arthritic hip joint and eliminates the damaged bearing surfaces that are causing pain. The design of the implant offers you renewed stability and minimizes the wear process. The traditional metal and polyethylene implants have […]

Hip Implant Materials

Hip Replacement Implant Materials

There are a large number of hip implant devices on the market. Each manufacturer has different models but each style falls into one of four basic material categories: metal on plastic (polyethylene or UHMWPE) metal on metal (MoM) ceramic on […]

Hip Implant Fixation

Types of Total Hip Implants and Fixation

During a hip replacement, the head of the femur is removed. A metal stem is inserted and a ball fitted on top of the stem to replace the head of the femur. A metal liner or cup is then […]

Specialized and Custom Fitted Hip Implant Options

Several manufacturers offer specialized or custom-fit knee implants – but what about hips? For example, do women need gender-specific hip implants? Orthopedic surgeons can choose from a wide array of standard hip implants, which range in size and are […]

Durability of Hip Implants: How Long Do Hip Replacements Last?

The short answer is hip implants generally last between 15 and 20 years but often much longer. There are many still active patients whose hip prostheses were put in as long as 30-40 years ago. The important factors to consider […]

Partial Knee Implant (image courtesy of ConforMIS)

Is the Plastic Used in Knee and Hip Implants Safe?

Every total knee replacement implant and many total hip replacement implants utilize ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), a plastic, in their components. In knee implants, the tibial component is a flat metal platform with a polyethylene cushion and the patellar […]

Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Recalls

Traditionally, hip implants were made of ceramic and metal parts. More recently, some devices began using metal-on-metal components for increased durability. Although the vast majority of patients have not had any problems with metal-on-metal implants, there has been some […]

Choosing a Hip Implant (Prosthesis)

One of the things you will want to discuss with your chosen hip surgeon is the type of hip replacement prosthesis he or she will be implanting. There is most certainly no single “best implant” on the market. Many manufacturers […]

How to choose a hip or knee replacement surgeon and prosthesis

You’ve decided you want hip or knee replacement surgery and now it’s time to choose a surgeon and decide what kind of implant is right for me. Or maybe you’re asking the question, “When will I be ready?” Hip or […]

Austin Moore partial hip replacement implant

Partial Hip Replacement Implants

Partial hip replacement implants are used most commonly to treat a fractured hip in an older patient, rather than a hip damaged by osteoarthritis, for which total hip replacement is a treatment.1 It is usually an emergency surgery made […]