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Total Hip Replacement
First performed in 1960, hip replacement surgery is one of the most important surgical advances of this century. Since then, improvements in joint replacement surgical techniques and technology have greatly increased the effectiveness of this surgery. Today, more than 168,000 total hip replacements are performed each year in the United States. Similar surgical procedures are performed on other joints, including the knee, shoulder, and elbow.
Your hip is a ball and socket joint that allows you to move your leg in many different directions. The ball (femoral head) is the upper end of the thigh bone that fits into the socket of your pelvis (acetabulum). In a healthy hip, the ends of the bones are covered with a thick soft cushion called cartilage. When it is in good working order, your hip helps you walk and move your leg easily without pain.
When the cartilage wears away, the bones rub together, causing pain, stiffness and limited function. When your hip joint can no longer do its job, an artificial joint can relieve your pain and stiffness and improves your mobility. A metal ball and stem replaces the worn head of the thigh bone, and a metal cup with plastic liner replaces the worn socket of your pelvis.
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