Hip Replacement

UI Health Care surgeons are experts in minimally invasive hip replacement to relieve pain from arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, hip fracture, and more.

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If osteoarthritis or another condition is causing you severe hip pain, hip replacement surgery might be the solution.

Hip replacement by University of Iowa Health Care experts can relieve your pain, improve your mobility, and boost your quality of life.

When you're choosing where to have a hip replacement, it's important to pick a team that will do it right the first time.

University of Iowa Health Care's orthopedic surgeons outperform the national average in terms of the number of procedures performed, with higher patient satisfaction and fewer complications. They have intensive training and expertise in both common and complex hip replacement procedures.

They're also the go-to team in Iowa for repairing hip replacements that have failed. Physicians from all over the Midwest send their most complex hip replacement cases here.

Has another provider told you that you're not eligible for hip replacement? Our team will work with you and other UI Health Care experts to help you meet the criteria.

Our UI Health Care team will help you choose the procedure that's right for you.

The UI Health Care approach to hip replacement

A hip replacement procedure replaces damaged parts of your hip joint with artificial implants.

Your hip is a ball-and-socket joint with two parts. The ball is the upper part of your thigh bone (femur). The socket (acetabulum) is part of your pelvic bone.

In this procedure, your surgeon removes the damaged bone and cartilage in your hip. They replace the parts with smooth, artificial implants.

Most of these surgeries can be performed in a minimally invasive way through small incisions. This approach results in faster healing, less pain, and fewer complications. You may be able to go home the same day.

A care plan that centers on you

Whether you need your first hip replacement or a fix for a failed procedure, our team works with you to make a customized care plan. The goal is to make sure you have the best possible outcome.

Together, we'll explore your options. We’ll discuss the best implant materials and surgical techniques that will get you back to normal activities quickly.

We’ll also help you prepare before your procedure to help make your recovery as smooth as possible.

And after your surgery, our physical therapists who specialize in joint replacement will help you get back to daily activities.

State-of-the-art procedures

Our hip surgeons are members of the University of Iowa faculty.

Because they're training the next generation of hip replacement experts, they're always among the first in the nation to offer patients the latest advances in surgery and care.

And as part of a leading academic medical center, they participate in research on the next innovations. You may be eligible for clinical trials of new procedures and approaches that you can't get anywhere else.

Types of hip replacement

Our shared decision-making approach means that your input is an important part of planning your hip replacement.

Your age, overall health, lifestyle, and condition of your hip all play a role. Your surgeon will talk with you about your options.

Your options may include the following surgeries:

Anterior, performed through a small incision at the front of your hip. It provides a restricted view of your joint, but our surgeons have special expertise in this procedure.

Anterior-based muscle-sparing (ABMS), a new approach that results in no cuts to muscles or tendons. Although ABMS isn't yet widely used, UI Health Care surgeons have performed many of these procedures.

Lateral, done through an incision on the side of your hip. It helps prevent damage to the blood vessels in your hip.

Posterior, performed through the back of your hip. This approach offers a clear view of your hip joint but requires cutting of muscle and soft tissue.

Some conditions, like osteoporosis or a significantly damaged hip joint, may require traditional surgery with a larger incision. UI Health Care surgeons are also experts in these procedures.

A hip replacement can last for 20 years or more.

Sometimes, if the implants fail or there's a problem in the tissues or bones around the hip, you might need another surgery. This is called a revision.

Revision hip replacement replaces one or both parts of your implant. Your surgeon may also use special implants that replace damaged bone and tissue.

Revision is more complex than the initial surgery. UI Health Care surgeons specialize in these revisions, helping patients get back to pain-free movement.

What to expect

More than 85% of our joint replacement patients go home the same day or next day.

Our multidisciplinary team approach means faster recovery and less pain for patients as well as expedited treatment and function following joint replacement surgery. Because of this approach, you may be able to go home on the day of surgery, offering many benefits such as having surgery earlier in the day and being able to sleep in your own bed at night. Our care team will discuss if same-day discharge is an option for you.

At your first pre-surgery appointment for an initial hip replacement, you'll meet the nurse clinicians who will guide you through preparation, surgery, and recovery. They'll be your contact person during the entire process, which includes a comprehensive educational program for you and your “coach.” Your coach may be a spouse, adult child, or friend who will help provide support to you during your recovery.

The stronger and healthier you are before your surgery, the sooner you'll recover. Your team will customize a care plan that will help you get ready for your procedure and continue to guide you throughout the entire experience.

My joint replacements have virtually not slowed me at all. Dr. Noiseux and his work have allowed me to do things that I’ve been doing for years and will do for years to come.

- Ray Haas, An avid runner, cyclist, and Habitat for Humanity member

Who can benefit from hip replacement?

You might be a candidate for hip replacement if you have one of the following conditions:

Osteoarthritis (advanced)
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis)
Hip fracture
Tumor in the hip joint
A failed previous hip surgery

If you've been told you're not eligible for hip replacement

Many surgeons will turn you away for hip replacement if you're overweight or have diabetes. But the UI Health Care team can help you get you where you need to be.

Our orthopedic team works closely with colleagues who specialize in weight management, smoking cessation, controlling diabetes, and more.

With our team approach, you can become eligible for surgery.