BOPDHB Patient Resources Hip and Knee joint replacement book - June 2016 | Page 7

A total hip replacement is a surgical
procedure for replacing the hip
joint. The hip joint is made up of two
parts, the hip socket (acetabulum,
a cup shaped bone in the pelvis)
and the “ball” or head of the thigh
bone (femur). During the operation,
these two parts are removed and
replaced with smooth artificial
surfaces. These artificial pieces
(the prosthesis) are implanted
into healthy portions of the pelvis
and thigh bone. The total hip
replacement operation is designed
to relieve pain, reduce stiffness and
improve your ability to walk.

Introduction

What is a total hip replacement?

What is a total knee
replacement?
A total knee replacement is a surgical
procedure for replacing the knee
joint. The knee joint is made up of the
lower end of the thigh bone (femur)
which rotates on the upper end of the
shin bone (tibia) and the knee cap
(patella), which slides in a groove
on the end of the femur. During the
operation, these parts are removed
and replaced with smooth artificial
surfaces.

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