Hip replacement surgery involves removing damaged parts of the hip joint and replacing them with artificial components made from metal, ceramic, or plastic materials. This procedure is usually recommended when hip joint damage causes ongoing pain and limits daily activities, despite other treatments. The primary goal is to restore joint function, reduce pain, and help patients return to daily life with improved mobility and quality of life.
Hip replacement may be considered when conservative treatments no longer provide relief:
Hip replacement offers substantial improvements in comfort and mobility:
Significant reduction in chronic hip pain, especially pain that disrupts sleep or daily activities.
Easier walking, stair-climbing, and return to previously avoided activities.
Modern hip replacements are designed to last 15-20 years or longer, providing a lasting solution for joint problems.
Reduced reliance on walking aids and pain medications.
Several surgical approaches and implant types may be used depending on your condition:
Both the ball (femoral head) and socket (acetabulum) of the hip joint are replaced with artificial components.
Only the ball portion of the hip joint is replaced, typically used for certain types of hip fractures.
The damaged bone surfaces are trimmed and capped with metal coverings, preserving more natural bone.
The surgeon accesses the hip joint from the front of your hip, working between muscles rather than cutting through them. This approach may result in faster recovery and reduced dislocation risk.
The hip joint is reached from the back and side of your hip, providing excellent visibility of the joint structures. This traditional approach is widely used and well-established.
Smaller incisions and specialised instruments are used to reduce tissue damage during surgery. These techniques may lead to less pain and shorter recovery times.
Proper preparation supports smoother recovery:
You’ll undergo blood tests, heart monitoring, and other assessments to ensure you’re fit for surgery. Your medical team will review your current medications and health conditions.
You’ll receive detailed guidelines about fasting before surgery, typically no food or drink after midnight the night before. Arrangements should be made for transportation home and assistance during your initial recovery period.
Hip replacement typically takes 1–2 hours:
You’ll receive either general anaesthesia to sleep through the surgery or spinal anaesthesia to numb the lower half of your body.
Your surgeon makes an incision over your hip, typically 8-12 inches long, though smaller incisions may be possible with minimally invasive techniques. The muscles and tissues are carefully moved aside to access the hip joint.
The hip joint is exposed and the extent of damage is assessed directly. Any remaining cartilage, bone spurs, or damaged tissue around the joint is removed.
The damaged femoral head (ball) is removed, and the socket (acetabulum) is cleaned and shaped.
The artificial socket is secured into the pelvis using cement, screws, or a press-fit technique depending on the implant type. The artificial femoral head and stem are then inserted into the thigh bone.
The new joint is tested for proper movement, stability, and leg length before the incision is closed with sutures or staples.
Hospital stay: You’ll remain in hospital for 1–3 days. Pain, mobility, and wound healing will be closely monitored.
Early movement: Physical therapy begins within 24 hours, starting with sitting and assisted walking.
Wound care: Dressings are checked regularly and kept clean and dry to prevent infection.
Blood clot prevention: You may use compression stockings, blood-thinning medication, or leg pumps to reduce clot risk.
First 2-6 weeks: You’ll use walking aids such as crutches or a walking frame and follow hip precautions to prevent dislocation. Most daily activities can be resumed gradually with modifications.
6-12 weeks: Strengthening exercises and increased walking distances help restore muscle strength and joint flexibility. Many patients can return to driving and light work activities during this period.
3-6 months: Full recovery typically occurs within this timeframe, with most patients returning to their normal activities. Some high-impact activities may require longer recovery periods or permanent modifications.
Check-ups: Scheduled at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and annually to assess recovery and implant function via X-rays.
Physiotherapy: Continued exercises help maintain strength and correct movement patterns.
Long-term monitoring: Annual reviews help detect any implant wear or loosening early.
Hip replacement is generally safe, but as with any major surgery, some risks exist. Common complications may include infection around the implant, blood clots in the legs or lungs, dislocation of the new joint, nerve or blood vessel injury, leg length differences, and implant wear or loosening over time. Most patients experience successful outcomes, and serious complications are relatively uncommon when the surgery is performed by an experienced orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore.
Consult our Dual Fellowship-Trained Orthopaedic Surgeon for an accurate diagnosis & personalised treatment plan today.
Dr Chong Xue Ling is a Swiss fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specialising in foot and ankle, as well as shoulder and elbow surgery.
She is a member of the European Group for the Study and Research of Minimally Invasive Surgery of the Foot and Ankle. For shoulder and elbow surgery, she completed her fellowship at La Tour Hospital, an accredited Swiss Olympic Medical Centre and learnt innovative techniques in arthroplasty for earlier return to activity as well as the stabilising techniques, developed to have greater strength without extensive fixation.
Through active involvement in research, she aims to constantly improve existing treatment in the pursuit of quality care for her patients.
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Most surgeons recommend avoiding lifting more than 25-30 pounds (11-14 kg) repeatedly, though occasional heavier lifting may be acceptable once fully healed. Your surgeon will provide specific guidelines based on your recovery and activity level.
Some patients report mild aching or stiffness in their replaced joint during weather changes, though this is less common than with natural arthritic joints. The artificial joint itself is not affected by weather, but surrounding tissues may respond to atmospheric pressure changes.
During the first 6-8 weeks, sleeping on your back or on your non-operated side is recommended, often with a pillow between your legs. Your surgeon will advise when it’s appropriate to sleep on your operated side.
Swimming is generally permitted once your incision has fully healed and your surgeon has cleared you for water activities, typically 6-8 weeks after surgery.
