Hip Replacement

Hip replacement surgery at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) is a life-changing experience. We are one of a few programs in western Pennsylvania offering same-day hip replacement surgery. You can expect to be up and walking within hours of surgery. Our goal is to help you live without nagging hip pain for years to come.

What is hip replacement surgery?

Your hip is a ball-and-socket joint that includes two parts:

1. Part of the pelvis (the acetabulum), which has a shallow opening or socket
2. The ball-shaped head of your upper thighbone (femur), which nestles into the acetabulum

During hip replacement surgery, we remove the ball-shaped head of the femur and the socket portion of the acetabulum. We replace them with artificial joints made of metal and plastic. You may need hip replacement surgery if you have hip pain that does not respond to other treatments. Find out more about hip pain.

Hip replacement surgery at AHN: Why choose us?

At AHN, you have access to pioneering techniques that maximize your safety and help you achieve excellent results. We were the first program in western Pennsylvania using Mako™ robotic surgery technology for hip replacement surgery. This technology acts as an extension of the surgeon’s hands, offering unparalleled surgical precision. Read more about robotic and minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery.

Our Diamond Care program takes some of the worries out of hip replacement surgery while helping you achieve exceptional results.

Under the Diamond Care program, you can expect:

• Personalized care: Our nurse navigators coordinate every step of your care, including pre-surgical testing and planning a safe return to your daily activities.

• Helpful information: We introduce you to the nurses and therapists who will be taking care of you after surgery so they can get to know you and your preferences. We also explain what to expect, starting from the moment you arrive at the hospital until you go home.

• Prompt rehabilitation services: We get you moving around as soon as it is medically safe to do so. Many people start physical therapy within hours of surgery.

Conditions we treat with hip replacement surgery

Conditions that may require hip replacement surgery include:

• Arthritis

• Complications from a bone infection (osteomyelitis)

• Congenital (present at birth) hip problems such as hip dysplasia

• Bone cancer

• Bone diseases such as osteonecrosis, which causes permanent damage to bone tissue

• Some forms of orthopaedic trauma, including shattered bones

Hip replacement surgery: What to expect

If you are considering hip replacement surgery, here’s what to expect:

1. Evaluation: Your care starts with an orthopaedic examination, including imaging tests to pinpoint the source of the pain. We will also determine if the damage is severe enough for joint replacement surgery. Find out more about orthopaedic diagnosis.
2. Possible joint repair procedure: Sometimes, fixing the damaged portion of the joint can help you avoid the need for hip replacement surgery. We deliver a wide range of options, including joint resurfacing. Read more about joint repair surgery.
3. Joint replacement surgery: If hip replacement surgery is right for you, we use minimally invasive techniques, including robotic surgery, whenever possible. These sophisticated techniques use small incisions to preserve more healthy joint tissue. You end up with a new joint that feels more natural and allows you to move with ease. Learn more about robotic and minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery.
4. Quick recovery: Our same-day approach teaches you how to use and take care of your new joint within hours of surgery. Many patients are amazed at how quickly they can walk without pain. 
5. Wound care: We work closely with AHN’s wound care services. Patients who have severe hip swelling may benefit from compression wrap services before undergoing surgery. After surgery, the team can help if you are experiencing swelling or problems with wound healing.

Contact us

Call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 or request an appointment to learn more about AHN Orthopaedic services.

Mako® Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology is a registered trademark of Stryker Corporation and is used with permission.