Primary hip replacement.Replace the damaged ball-and-socket joint when the whole picture supports it.
Total hip replacement is considered when hip joint damage causes substantial pain, stiffness and loss of function despite appropriate non-operative care. The decision brings together diagnosis, imaging, health, activity goals and the trade-offs of surgery. Hip replacement in Abu Dhabi is performed at Healthpoint Hospital, serving patients throughout the UAE.
Reconstruct the ball and socket. Preserve function around the new joint.
Total hip replacement addresses both sides of the damaged joint: the acetabular socket is resurfaced with a cup and liner, and the femoral head is replaced with a ball attached to a stem.
01ACETABULAR SIDE
Socket preparation & cup placement
The damaged socket surface is prepared and an acetabular component with a bearing liner is positioned according to the surgical plan.
02FEMORAL SIDE
Femoral preparation & stem placement
The femoral head is removed and a stem with a new ball is inserted to recreate the hip articulation and restore stable movement.
CHAPTER 02 · SUITABILITY
Before choosing an implant, establish whether replacement is the right operation.
Age alone does not decide suitability. The consultation brings together the diagnosis, functional limitation, previous treatment, imaging and the factors that may influence risk and recovery.
01
Is the hip joint the main source of the problem?
The symptoms, examination and imaging should tell a coherent story before replacement is discussed.
02
How much is daily life being limited?
Walking, sleep, work, shoes and socks, exercise and independence help define the real burden.
03
Has non-operative care been proportionate?
Relevant rehabilitation, activity modification and symptom treatments should be considered in context.
04
What does imaging show?
Radiographs help assess the joint, bone quality, anatomy and the reconstruction that may be required.
05
What needs optimisation before surgery?
General health, medications, smoking, diabetes, weight where relevant, home support and rehabilitation planning can affect risk and recovery.
REAL CLINICAL X-RAY / 02
“The X-ray can show the reconstruction. Suitability for surgery is decided from the whole clinical picture.”
Clinic-supplied postoperative example. It is not presented as a universal implant or result.
CHAPTER 03 · IMAGING & IMPLANT PLANNING
A hip replacement is a reconstruction.Planning starts with anatomy and function.
Radiographs help assess joint damage, bone quality and anatomy. Additional imaging is selected when a specific question about bone, deformity or planning needs more detail.
01 · REAL EXAMPLE
Total hip replacement
A postoperative film can document the acetabular and femoral components and their relationship to the surrounding bone.
02 · IMPLANT ANATOMY
Understand the components
An educational illustration shows the acetabular and femoral components used to recreate the ball-and-socket articulation.
03 · PRE-OPERATIVE PLANNING
Match the operation to the patient
Planning considers anatomy, imaging, implant strategy, health and the functional goals the patient wants to regain.
CHAPTER 04 · SURGICAL PLANNING
The operation starts before theatre. Planning defines the reconstruction.
Hip replacement planning is about more than implant size. It considers the diagnosis, bone, component position, fixation, stability, leg length and the function the patient wants to regain.
STEP 01
DIAGNOSIS & ANATOMY
Map the joint damage and the anatomy that needs reconstructing.
What is assessed
Symptoms, examination and radiographs establish whether the hip joint is the main problem and describe the anatomy and bone supporting the reconstruction.
Why it matters
The operation is planned around the individual hip rather than a generic implant position or a single X-ray measurement.
↔Planning is patient-specific. Component choice, fixation and position depend on anatomy, bone quality, surgical approach and the surgeon’s clinical judgement.
CHAPTER 05 · THE OPERATION
Replace the damaged joint. Rebuild a stable ball-and-socket articulation.
During total hip replacement, the damaged femoral head is removed, the acetabulum is prepared for the socket component, the femur is prepared for the stem and the new ball is connected. The surgeon checks stability, movement and reconstruction before completing the procedure.
Educational implant illustration used here because no patient-specific hip operating-theatre photograph is presented.
01
Prepare
The damaged femoral head is removed and the acetabulum and femur are prepared according to the surgical plan.
02
Position
The socket, liner, stem and new ball are positioned using the planned implant strategy.
03
Check
Stability, movement, leg length and soft-tissue tension are assessed before finalising the reconstruction.
04
Recover
The postoperative plan moves toward safe mobility, wound recovery and progressive rehabilitation.
RECOVERY · FUNCTION
Recovery is progressive—not a single finish date.
Early rehabilitation focuses on safe mobility, wound recovery and restoring useful movement. Strength, endurance and confidence are rebuilt over time according to the individual operation, starting point and goals.
Safe walking & transfers
Mobility & movement confidence
Strength & endurance
Everyday function
RELATED HIP ROUTES
Primary replacement is one part of the Hip pathway.
Use the related pages when the main question is arthritis, impingement, revision or the overall Hip overview.
PRIMARY HIP REPLACEMENT FAQ
Useful questions before deciding on hip replacement.
General information only. The appropriate implant strategy and recovery plan require an individual clinical assessment.
Total hip replacement removes the damaged femoral head and resurfaces the socket with prosthetic components, creating a new ball-and-socket articulation.
02When is hip replacement considered?+
It may be considered when joint damage causes substantial pain, stiffness and loss of function despite appropriate non-operative care, and the overall assessment supports surgery.
03What materials are used in a hip replacement?+
Hip replacements use combinations of metal, ceramic and highly cross-linked polyethylene components. The implant choice depends on the patient and surgical plan.
04How is the implant fixed to bone?+
Components may use cementless fixation, cemented fixation or a combination, depending on bone quality, implant design and the surgical plan.
05How long does recovery take?+
Recovery is progressive and varies by individual. Early goals include safe mobility and wound recovery, followed by strength, endurance and return to everyday function over time.
06Can robotic technology be used for hip replacement?+
Robotic-assisted systems can support planning and component positioning in selected hip replacement procedures. The surgeon remains responsible for the operation and clinical decisions.
A SURGICAL DECISION, INDIVIDUALISED
Bring the problem. The assessment clarifies the reconstruction.
You do not need to arrive having chosen an implant or technology. Bring previous imaging, treatment history, the symptom timeline and the activities you want to regain.
Prof. Hanna is a UK board-certified consultant orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon at Healthpoint Hospital, Abu Dhabi. His clinical interests include primary and revision hip and knee replacement, robotic-assisted joint replacement and arthroscopic treatment of selected sports and soft-tissue conditions.
