Healthy Hip:
Your hip joint is the largest weight bearing joint in your body. It is considered a “ball in socket” joint because, in a healthy hip, the smooth ball at the end of the thigh bone fits easily in the end of the hip socket. A layer of cartilage covers the ends of these bones, serving as a cushion while allowing the ball to glide within the socket.
Problem Hip:
Conditons such as osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis, injury, or rheumatoid arthritis can cause severe pain and decreased movement as the cushion of cartilage wears away. Joint surfaces can rub against each other, becoming rough, pitted, irritated, and narrowed. This can cause pain and difficulty walking.
Replacing Worn Joints:
A joint replacement, also called arthroplasty, involves replacing a painful joint with a new mechanical joint, called a prosthesis. The hip prosthesis consists of a specially designed ball and socket that replaces your worn hip joint. The ball and stem replace the worn ball of your thigh bone. A cup replaces the rough socket. The prosthesis has smooth surfaces that fit together and allow the ball to move easily within the socket, much like a healthy hip. This allows you to move and walk more easily and with
less pain.
