Private Hip Replacement Surgery in the UK
An operation to replace a hip joint with an artificial one
Hip replacement surgery can bring you great relief from chronic hip pain and improve your mobility
What is hip replacement surgery?
If you suffer from hip pain that hasn't responded to other types of treatment, such as physiotherapy or steroid injections, your consultant may recommend a hip replacement. It is often the solution when your hip motion has become very limited and pain levels haven’t decreased.
Hip replacement surgery is one of the more common joint replacement surgeries. Here at HCA UK, we typically perform over 1000 hip replacements a year. The last figures provided by PHIN (Private Healthcare Information Network) reported HCA UK was the number one in London for private hip replacement surgery.
During this type of surgery, your hip joint is replaced with an artificial one known as a prosthesis. It may be metal, ceramic or plastic. We are also using robotic technology in the planning of the surgery, to increase accuracy when determining the exact size, placing and positioning of the replacement implant.
Our orthopaedic consultants have performed over 1000 robotically assisted surgeries to date which is helping to bring patients faster recovery times with less pain, which is helping them to return to an active lifestyle sooner.
Length of stay at one of our hospitals for a hip replacement varies according to your personal health conditions; however, the average stay is approximately 3 days.
Why would you need hip replacement?
Deciding when it’s time for a hip replacement will be made once you have explored options with your GP or orthopaedic consultant. Typical symptoms present when hip pain keeps you awake at night and your ability to do everyday tasks such as going up stairs or getting out of a chair are slow due to a lack of mobility. Your hip pain may be linked to a specific condition such as hip arthritis or osteoarthritis.
To help know when it might be time to consider replacement surgery, one of our leading consultants has prepared a guide to the 4 signs you may need a hip replacement.
Need to know – private hip replacement surgery
-
How do I prepare for hip surgery? icon plus
Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you. Your consultant will talk you through your surgery so you understand what's involved.
Before the operation, you can prepare to make your life easier during your recovery. You'll need to use crutches or a walker to move around after the operation. It's a good idea to arrange for a friend or a family member to help you with tasks such as shopping, bathing and laundry during this time. You may also want to consider installing handrails in your bath, shower and staircase at home to help during your recovery. -
What happens during a hip surgery procedure? icon plus
Hip replacement surgery is usually carried out under general anaesthetic. For some operations it is sometimes carried out after a spinal epidural (an injection to block the pain in your lower half).
During a hip replacement, your surgeon will remove the ball part of your hip joint, along with any damaged cartilage and bone. They'll then replace them with the prosthetic ball and socket. The whole procedure usually takes a few hours. -
Recovery From Hip Replacement Surgery icon plus
You will be cared for in hospital for a few days following the operation. After surgery, our physiotherapy team will encourage you to stand up and walk a little with the help of crutches. They'll also give you exercises to practise to help strengthen your hip and legs.
When you go home you’ll need to use crutches, a walker or walking sticks for a few weeks. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise.
Recovery varies from patient to patient, dependent upon various factors that include age, fitness levels regardless of whether you are working or retired and the condition of your joint and surrounding muscles.
Often patients like to know when can they drive again or when can I return to work. Both are possible within or around 6 weeks post operation, depending how your implant incision heals. The incisions for hip replacements are much smaller now and are closed up will be covered with a dressing. To reduce the risk of any infection, avoid swimming and taking baths.
Hip replacement Q&A
Michael’s story
Yvette's story
What are the lifetime precautions after hip replacement surgery?
The lifetime of a hip implant is 20-30 years which has increased as implants have improved over time. Advice for looking after your new hip will be dependent on lifestyle but taking care in the first three months is key. There are various tips to consider:
- Post operation, avoid applying pressure the wound eg avoid lying on the side of the replacement surgery
- Bending too far, avoiding more than 90 degrees
- Resisting the temptation to sit with crossed legs
- Repetitive and high impact activities that put stress on your hip joint. Those who enjoy fitness activities benefit from swapping out running for cycling
The Cost For Hip Replacement Surgery
Hospital stay and procedure
Prices from
£13,500 subject to the specifics of your treatment as recommended by your consultant.
Indicative consultant fees from £1,400
Expected length of stay
3 nights
Included
Before admission
- Pre-assessment
During your hospital stay
- Accommodation in a standard room as quoted above.
- Routine admission tests
- Patient meals are included but not transferable.
- Nursing care and facilities
- Theatre fees, drugs and dressings
- Removal of stitches, dressing and plaster as required.
- Take home medication
Excluded
- Any additional nights in hospital not described in the above.
- Specialist nursing above and beyond required level of care.
- Any post-operative treatments/consultations which may be required.
- Any additional or more complex procedures not included in our initial agreement.
- Any readmission due to complications will result in additional charges in line with our standard prices.
- Personal costs including visitors’ meals and drinks as well as newspapers.
- Any costs not specified as included.
For self-pay patients, please ask your consultant for information on our fixed price self-pay hip replacement packages. For peace of mind on your hospital and surgery costs, you may be eligible for one of the fixed price packages that are available.
Our hip consultants
Book a Hip Replacement appointment
- Complete our online form or call 020 7079 4344
- Remember to have your GP referral letter to hand
- We’ll confirm your appointment on the phone or if you have any special requests we will get back to you via phone, email within 24 hours
Imaging to help diagnose hip replacement treatment
After your initial appointment with your orthopaedic consultant you may be referred for imaging of your hip joint. We have 20 diagnostic centres across our network which means we can offer appointments on the same day of your appointment.
Our diagnostic centres are located at the following locations:
LONDON DIAGNOSTIC CENTRES
Central: 16 & 30 Devonshire Street, 154 Harley Street, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH)
North London: Platinum Medical Centre, Golders Green Outpatient & Diagnostics Centre and Elstree Diagnostic Centre
The City: Docklands Medical Centre, 31 Old Broad Street, HCA UK at The Shard
West London: Chiswick Medical Centre
South London: King’s Road and Sydney Street, Chelsea
LONDON HOSPITALS
The Princess Grace Hospital, The Wellington Hospital, The Lister Hospital, London Bridge Hospital, The Harley Street Clinic and The Portland Hospital.
CHESHIRE
The Wilmslow Hospital
Our Hip Replacement Surgery Locations
We provide exceptional hip replacement care across our network of hospitals.
Request an orthopaedic appointment
We're happy to help you make an appointment with an experienced orthopaedic or sports medicine consultant. We can also arrange imaging and outpatient physiotherapy appointments.
Call us today
020 7079 4344