What it means
The surgeon removes the top of the thigh bone (the ball) and lines the hip socket, then fits a metal or ceramic ball on a stem and a plastic, metal or ceramic socket. It is most often done for severe osteoarthritisos-tee-oh-ar-THRY-tisA long-term joint disease in which the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears away.oste/o bonearthr/o joint-itis inflammationFull entry or a broken hip. Most clients walk with help the day of or the day after surgery.
For the nurse
Follow the surgeon's hip precautions, which depend on the approach. After a posterior approach these usually include not bending the hip past 90 degrees, not crossing the legs and not turning the leg inward, with an abduction pillow and raised toilet seat. Watch for bleeding, infection, deep vein thrombosis and signs of dislocation.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | THA (total hip arthroplasty); THR (total hip replacement) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | reemplazo total de cadera |
| Also written | total hip arthroplasty, THA, THR |
Related terms
deep vein thrombosis
A blood clot in a deep vein, most often in the leg or pelvis.
prosthesis
An artificial body part that replaces one that is missing or does not work, such as an artificial leg, joint, eye or heart valve.
abduction
Moving a limb or part away from the midline of the body, such as raising an arm out to the side.
adduction
Moving a limb or part toward the midline of the body, such as bringing an arm back down to the side.
dislocation
An injury in which the ends of bones that meet at a joint are forced out of their normal position.