In total hip replacement surgery, the surgeon uses metal, ceramic, or plastic parts to replace the ball at the upper end of the thigh bone (femur) and resurfaces the hip socket in the pelvic bone. It replaces the damaged cartilage with new joint material in a step-by-step process.
Doctors may attach replacement joints to the bones with or without cement.
Cemented joints are attached to the existing bone with cement, which acts as glue and attaches the artificial joint to the bone.
Uncemented joints are attached using a porous coating that is designed to allow the bone to adhere to the artificial joint. Over time, new bone grows and fills up the openings in the porous coating, attaching the joint to the bone.
Doctors may use general or regional anaesthesia depending on the general health of the patient.