Hip Replacement at the Orthopedic Surgeon

How do you know you need one?

You do not need surgery just because a scan shows wear. The decision is about your daily life. Doctors look at how much pain you have and how much it limits you.

Signs that point toward surgery:

• Hip pain that wakes you at night or never fully goes away.
• Pain when you walk, climb stairs, or get out of a chair.
• Stiffness that makes it hard to put on shoes or socks.
• Less relief from pills, a cane, shots, or therapy than before.

There is no strict age rule. Many people who get a hip replaced are between 50 and 80. Younger and older patients have it too when the pain is bad enough.

What happens during the surgery?

The surgery usually takes one to two hours. You get anesthesia first, so you feel nothing during it.

Here is the basic order of the operation:

• The surgeon makes a cut over your hip to reach the joint.
• They remove the worn ball and clean out the damaged socket.
• They fit a metal socket, a liner, a new ball, and a stem into your thigh bone.
• The parts are held in place with special cement, or with a coating that lets your own bone grow onto them.

Some surgeons use a smaller cut, called a minimally invasive approach. For the right patient, it can mean less muscle damage. After the surgery, you go to a recovery room while the anesthesia wears off. Many people stand and take a few steps the same day.

What does a hip replacement cost?

Hip replacement is one of the more expensive planned surgeries. The price depends on your insurance, the hospital, your region, and the implant.

The full hospital bill before insurance often runs from $30,000 to $50,000. That covers the surgeon, the anesthesia, the implant, and the hospital stay. What you actually pay is usually far less if you have coverage.

Ask for a written estimate before your surgery date. Confirm that the surgeon, the hospital, and the anesthesia team are all in your network. One out-of-network provider can add a big surprise bill.

Ranges vary by region, hospital, and implant. Ask for a written estimate and confirm the surgeon, hospital, and anesthesia team are all in your network before you book.

For a full Medicare cost breakdown of the related surgical procedure, see our detailed cost guide.

What is recovery like?

You start moving the same day or the next day. A physical therapist helps you stand, walk with a walker, and practice stairs. Most people leave the hospital within two days. Some go home the same day.

Things that help you heal:

• Do your physical therapy exercises every day.
• Follow the movement limits your surgeon gives you, so the new hip does not pop out.
• Keep your follow-up visits.
• Move around often to lower your risk of blood clots.

Most people return to walking, swimming, and biking. High-impact sports like running are usually not advised, to protect the new joint.

Mistakes that can hurt you

A hip replacement is major surgery. Do not try to manage severe hip damage with internet cures, and do not delay care you clearly need. Here is how to protect yourself.

Be careful with pain pills. It is easy to lean on over-the-counter pain medicine for months. Too much can harm your stomach, kidneys, or liver. Pills also hide the problem instead of fixing it.

Skip unproven shortcuts. Some clinics sell stem cell or other injections that promise to regrow a hip joint. The FDA warns that many of these are not approved and can be unsafe. They will not replace a worn joint.

Know the implant facts. The FDA has flagged safety concerns with certain metal-on-metal hip implants, which can shed metal and cause pain or tissue damage. Ask your surgeon what type of implant they use and why.

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these after surgery:

• A fever, or redness, swelling, or drainage at the cut. These can signal infection.
• New, severe pain, or a leg that looks shorter or turned out. The hip may be dislocated.
• Calf pain, swelling, or sudden shortness of breath. These can be a blood clot.

Waiting too long to treat these can be dangerous. When in doubt, get checked.

How do you find a surgeon near you?

A hip replacement is done by an orthopedic surgeon. Many focus on hips and knees. You want someone who does this surgery often, because higher volume is linked to better results.

OurHealthNetwork lists more than 34,000 orthopedic surgeons across the country. You can search by your city or zip code and find one near you.

Good questions to ask:

• How many hip replacements do you do each year?
• What approach and implant do you use, and why?
• What is your rate of infection and other problems?
• Which hospital or surgery center will I go to?

Check your network first. Before you book, confirm the surgeon takes your insurance. Then make sure the hospital and anesthesia team are in network too. This is the easiest way to keep your costs down.

How long does it last, and what are the risks?

A modern hip replacement is built to last a long time. Most implants work well for 15 to 25 years. Many last even longer. Younger, active patients may wear theirs out sooner and need a second surgery later, called a revision.

Like any surgery, it carries some risk. Most people do well, but you should know the possible problems.

• Infection: Rare, but serious. It may need more surgery or long antibiotics.
• Blood clots: Clots can form in the leg. Your team gives you blood thinners and exercises to lower the risk.
• Dislocation: The new ball can pop out of the socket, most often in the first weeks.
• Different leg length: One leg can feel slightly longer. A shoe insert often fixes it.
• Loosening over time: Parts can loosen after many years and may need a revision.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Medical disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about a medical condition. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Our editorial standards