Orthopaedic Procedures: Hip Surgery
Our hip surgery service relies on some the most technically advanced equipment in Ireland. The hip is the ball and socket joint on each side of your pelvis. The function of the hip is to allow movement as well as provide stability necessary to bear body weight.
The socket area, or acetabulum, is inside the pelvis. The ball part of this joint is the top of the thighbone also known as the femur. This ball at the top of the femur joins with the acetabulum to form the hip joint.
The hip is one of the most stable joints in the body. Because of the extra pressure it is under to bear your body weight, it is more likely than other joints to develop arthritis. Pain in the hip may be caused by injury to muscles, tendons, or the small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion and lubricate joints.
Conditions of the hip we treat with hip surgery include; Arthritis of the hip, fractures and dislocations, ligament and tendon injuries. Whether your hip condition is due to ageing, trauma or overuse, our expert Consultant Orthopaedic Hip Surgeons will help to get you back on your feet.
Beacon Centre for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
Diagnosis and Procedures
As well as having access to the most technologically advanced diagnostic radiology equipment in Ireland, our Orthopaedic Hip Surgeons can carry out an array of other tests such as physical examination and hip arthroscopy to accurately diagnose and plan treatment for your hip conditions and concerns.
To see our hip replacement surgery pre-operative videos and and get answers to frequently asked information on hip replacement surgery, please click here.
Hip Procedures
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Hip Arthroscopy
Hip Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that gives your Consultant a clear view of the inside of you hip. Your Consultant may recommend hip arthroscopy if your hip does not respond to non-surgical treatments such as physiotherapy, rest, anti-inflammatory medications or injections.
During this procedure, your Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon will examine the inside of your hip joint using a small arthroscope (telescope). You will be under general anaesthetic meaning you will be asleep for the duration.
When you are under anaesthetic, your Consultant will make a number of small incisions in your hip area. Through these incisions, the arthroscope is inserted. A camera at the end of the arthroscope feeds live images back to a TV screen which allows your Consultant to thoroughly examine the joint.
Where a problem is identified that the Consultant can fix immediately, they may insert small instruments through another incision and perform a procedure with these to repair the damage identified.
After this procedure, you will be placed in a recovery room for a couple of hours, after which a member of your family may collect you to bring you home. You will need to arrange someone to stay with you for the first night following your procedure.
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Partial Hip Replacement
Hemiarthroplasty, or partial hip replacement, is a surgical procedure where only the head of the femur (the ball of the joint) is replaced. This is most commonly used in cases where trauma such as breaks or fractures cause the damage.
It is not generally used where degenerative arthritis is the cause of the damage. Where damage is due to arthritis, a totally hip replacement is usually the most suitable option.
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Total Hip Replacement
Total Hip Replacement, or Arthroplasty, is commonly used when other therapies have failed to improve your hip discomfort or quality of life due to hip problems.
Total hip replacement involves the removal of a painful or damaged hip joint and replaces it with a new ball and socket made from metal and plastic components. This helps to alleviate hip pain and to increase mobility allowing you to resume the activities you once enjoyed.
This procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic, meaning you will be asleep for the duration.
Your Consultant will make an incision over the side of your hip bone through which the worn head of your femur can be removed. Your socket will be cleaned and a new socket cup will be attached in place using cement or screws. Once this has been completed your new ball at the top of your femur will be attached, again using cement or screws before final checks are made and your wound is closed up.
You will remain in the hospital for a couple of days following your procedure where you will meet regularly with your Physiotherapist who will guide you on your movement recovery process and exercises.