Lifetime Probability of Total Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement (arthroplasty) has been called one of the most successful surgical procedures in medicine, with approximately 450,000 performed annually in the United States. The lifetime risk is approximately 5%, increasing with age, obesity, and osteoarthritis history.

Hip replacement is most commonly performed for osteoarthritis (accounting for about 90% of cases), followed by osteonecrosis, hip fracture, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions. The average age at surgery is about 65, though the number of patients under 55 undergoing hip replacement has been increasing. Risk factors for needing hip replacement include obesity, previous hip injury, family history of osteoarthritis, and certain occupations with heavy physical demands.

Modern hip replacements have an implant survival rate of about 85-90% at 25 years, and many patients can expect their implant to last their lifetime. Patient satisfaction rates exceed 90%, with dramatic improvement in pain and function. Recovery involves 4-8 weeks of physical therapy, with most patients walking with a cane within 2-4 weeks and returning to normal activities within 3-6 months. The anterior approach, which involves less muscle disruption, has gained popularity for potentially faster recovery.