Hip replacement: Surgery, recovery, and how insurance can help

What is hip replacement?

Hip replacement, also called hip arthroplasty, is surgery to remove damaged parts of the hip joint and replace them with artificial parts. These new parts, often made of strong metal, ceramic, or durable plastic, act like a natural joint. The goal is to reduce pain and help you move more easily, whether that means walking without discomfort or getting back to hobbies you enjoy.

Types of hip replacement

• Total hip replacement: This is the most common procedure. Both the ball at the top of your thigh bone and the hip socket in your pelvis are replaced. It’s often recommended if arthritis or long-term damage affects both parts of the joint. A total replacement usually gives the best improvement in pain relief and mobility.
• Partial hip replacement: Here, only the ball of the joint is replaced while the socket stays as it is. It’s often used for older adults who break their hip after a fall, since surgery is quicker and involves less bone removal. However, it’s less helpful for arthritis, as the socket can still be painful if worn.
• Revision hip replacement: Sometimes an artificial hip wears out, loosens, or becomes infected. In this case, the old implant is removed and replaced with a new one. Revision surgery is more complex but can restore comfort and movement.

Surgical approaches

• Posterior approach: The surgeon makes an incision near your buttock. It’s widely used in New Zealand because it gives excellent access to the hip and works well for complex cases.
• Anterior approach: The incision is made at the front of your hip. Many patients recover faster, with fewer restrictions on movement. However, it is not suitable for everyone, such as those with certain body shapes or previous surgery.

Your surgeon will guide you on the type and approach that best suit your health and lifestyle.

When is hip replacement recommended?

Hip replacement is usually recommended when pain or stiffness in your hip makes day-to-day life difficult and other treatments no longer work. Your doctor may first suggest pain medicine, physiotherapy, walking aids, or injections. But if these options don’t give enough relief, surgery can be the next step.

Conditions where hip replacement may be needed

• Osteoarthritis: the most common cause, often linked with age or family history. It occurs when the smooth cartilage protecting your hip wears away, leaving bone rubbing on bone.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: an autoimmune condition that leads to swelling, pain, and long-term joint damage.
• Post-traumatic arthritis: can follow a serious hip injury or fracture, with stiffness and pain developing over time.
• Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis): happens when the blood supply to the hip bone is reduced, causing the bone to weaken and collapse.

Benefits of hip replacement surgery

After surgery, patients often notice dramatic improvements:

• Lasting pain relief, even at night
• Better mobility, making walking and climbing stairs easier
• Stronger, more stable movement for everyday tasks
• Increased independence and confidence to do things you enjoy

For most people, the biggest reward is simply getting life back without constant pain.

Risks and possible complications

Hip replacement surgery is very successful for most people, but like all major operations, it carries some risks. The good news is that serious complications are uncommon and affect fewer patients. Still, it’s important to know what might happen so you can be prepared.

Blood clots can form in the leg veins after surgery and, in rare cases, travel to the lungs. To lower this risk, you may be given blood-thinning medicines, compression stockings, or encouraged to move soon after surgery.

Infection can occur at the wound site or deep around the new hip. Minor infections are usually treated with antibiotics, while serious ones may require further surgery. Surgeons use strict precautions to keep this risk low.

Dislocation is possible, especially in the first few months. This happens when the new ball pops out of the socket. Learning safe movements during recovery helps prevent it.

Other risks include:

• Fractures of surrounding bone during surgery, sometimes needing plates or screws.
• Leg length differences, which may feel temporary but occasionally need a shoe lift.
• Loosening or wear of the implant over time, which may require a second surgery years later.
• Nerve or blood vessel injury, though this is rare.
• General risks such as heart attack, stroke, or confusion after surgery, especially in older patients.

While complications can sound worrying, most patients recover well and enjoy lasting pain relief and improved mobility.

Hip replacement procedure

Hip replacement is a carefully planned operation. Knowing what to expect before, during, and after surgery can help you feel more at ease.

Preparations before surgery

Before your operation, you’ll meet with your orthopaedic surgeon. They will check your medical history and current medications and examine your hip’s movement and strength. Blood tests, X-rays, or sometimes an MRI may be ordered. If you have other conditions like heart or kidney problems, you may be referred to a specialist to make sure surgery is safe.

You’ll also be asked to stop certain medicines or supplements, especially herbal remedies, that could interfere with surgery. If you smoke, quitting several weeks before surgery will greatly improve healing. Good nutrition, gentle daily exercise, and proper sleep can also prepare your body for recovery.

It’s important to prepare your home in advance. Placing essentials within easy reach, arranging some help with meals, and removing tripping hazards like loose rugs will make life easier when you return home.

What happens during surgery

On the day, you’ll change into a hospital gown and receive anaesthesia. It could either be a spinal block to numb the lower body or a general anaesthetic so you’ll be asleep. Your surgeon may also use numbing medicine around the hip to help manage pain afterwards.

The surgeon makes an incision over the hip and carefully removes the damaged bone and cartilage. A new socket is placed in your pelvic bone, and a metal stem with a ball is fitted into the top of your thighbone. These parts form a smooth artificial joint designed to restore movement and reduce pain.

Once the new joint is secure, the incision is closed and dressed.

How long does the operation take

The surgery itself usually takes about 1½ to 2 hours. Including preparation and recovery room time, you may spend several hours in hospital on the day of your procedure. After surgery, you’ll be monitored closely until the anaesthetic wears off. Nurses will check your blood pressure, heart rate, and comfort level.

Hip replacement recovery

Recovering from hip replacement takes time and patience. With the right support, exercises, and precautions, you can return to everyday life with much less pain and more freedom of movement.

Hospital stay

Most people stay in hospital for one to three days, though some may go home the same day if they’re well enough. In hospital, your care team will monitor your blood pressure, wound, and pain levels. You’ll usually get up and move with a walker or crutches within hours of surgery.

Nurses and physiotherapists will guide you in safe ways to sit, stand, and use the bathroom. Before you leave, you should be able to walk short distances, dress yourself, and manage basic tasks with support.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation begins almost immediately. A physiotherapist will show you gentle exercises to strengthen your hip muscles and improve flexibility. At first, this may involve simple movements in bed or short walks.

Over time, exercises progress to climbing stairs and practising daily activities like getting into a car. You’ll likely continue physio sessions at home or in a clinic for several weeks. Consistency is key; regular movement speeds up recovery and prevents stiffness.

Time off work and activities

How soon you return to work depends on your job. If you have a desk role, you may be back in two to three weeks. Jobs that involve heavy lifting or long hours on your feet may require six weeks or more.

Driving is usually possible after four to six weeks, once you can safely control the pedals and aren’t taking strong painkillers. Swimming, cycling, and golf are encouraged after healing, but high-impact sports such as running or jumping should be avoided.

Permanent restrictions

Most people return to normal activities without major restrictions. However, some movements are best avoided or taken with precaution to protect the new joint, especially in the first six weeks. These include sitting, bending, sleeping, and any sudden hip movement.

Your surgeon will explain which movements to limit depending on the surgical approach used. While implants are long-lasting, they aren’t designed for impact-heavy activities like competitive running or contact sports.

How to take care of your hip replacement

Caring for your new hip is about protecting it and building strength. Follow wound care instructions carefully and watch for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or fever.

Use walking aids until your surgeon says otherwise, and remove hazards like loose rugs or cables at home to prevent falls. Keep active with gentle exercises, walking, and physiotherapy. A balanced diet with iron-rich foods will support healing.

Long-term, continue light exercise to keep your muscles strong and protect the implant. Let your dentist know you’ve had a hip replacement, as you may need antibiotics before dental procedures. And remember to attend follow-up appointments for X-rays and check-ups.

With patience and commitment, most people regain independence within four to twelve weeks and enjoy many years of improved mobility.

How long does a hip replacement last?

Average lifespan

Modern hip replacements are built to last. In New Zealand, hip replacements are still working well after 10 years and last around (or even beyond) 20 years.

Many patients enjoy their artificial hip for the rest of their lives, especially if surgery happens later in life. Studies show that some implants can last 25 years or more with good care.

Factors affecting longevity

Several things influence how long your hip replacement will last. Your age plays a big role. Younger patients tend to place more stress on their hips over decades, so they are more likely to need a revision.

Activity level also matters: while walking, swimming, and cycling are great, high-impact activities such as running or heavy lifting may wear the joint faster.

Weight can also add extra strain, and underlying medical conditions may affect long-term results. Advances in implant materials and surgical techniques mean today’s hips are more durable than ever.

How many hip replacements can you have?

If a hip replacement wears out, it can usually be replaced with another operation called a revision. There’s no set limit. You can have multiple revisions if needed. However, each revision is more complex than the first surgery.

Bone quality can decrease over time, and the results are often not as good as the original replacement. That’s why surgeons aim to make your first hip replacement last as long as possible.

For most people, one well-done hip replacement is all they’ll ever need.

Can my insurance help with hip replacement?

Hip replacement is life-changing, but it can also be expensive. In New Zealand, private hip surgery can cost anywhere from $22,000 to $40,000. While the public health system does offer hip replacements, they are classed as “elective” procedures, which means you could face months or even years on a waiting list. Having the right insurance can ease both the cost and the wait.

How health insurance helps

If you have comprehensive health insurance, your policy may cover the major costs involved in hip replacement, such as the surgery itself, hospital stay, surgeon’s fees, and rehabilitation. Some policies also include non-Pharmac drugs if they are required for your recovery.

This means you can often access treatment sooner, avoid the stress of long wait times, and even choose your preferred surgeon. Most importantly, you can focus on healing instead of worrying about how to pay for it.

Other types of insurance that may help

Health insurance isn’t the only type of cover that can help. Depending on your situation, other policies can provide extra financial support:

• Trauma (critical illness) insurance: pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with conditions such as severe rheumatoid arthritis. You can use this money for surgery costs, home help, or everyday bills.
• Total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance: provides a payout if you can’t return to work again due to your condition.
• Income protection insurance: pays part of your income if hip problems or recovery stop you from working for a period of time.

Why speak to a broker?

Insurance policies vary widely. Policywise can compare plans across different insurers, tailor cover to your needs and budget, and show you ways to reduce premiums while staying well protected. Insurance won’t take away the surgery itself, but it can make the journey far smoother, giving you peace of mind while you focus on recovery.

How Policywise makes your hip replacement hassle-free

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