Hip replacement is a procedure done to remove the damaged hip joint and replace it with a prosthesi. There are two main types of hip replacement: traditional hip replacement and minimally invasive hip replacement.
Traditional hip replacement is a procedure in which the surgeon makes a six to twelve inch cut along the thigh. This cut goes through the muscle and tendon in order to offer the surgeon access to the joint. Once inside the hip, the surgeon will remove the joint and replace it with a prosthetic.
Minimally invasive hip replacement surgery is a newer technique that reduces trauma to the surrounding tissue and often improves recovery time. Rather than a single large cut on the thigh, the surgeon enters the hip through two smaller incisions. Special instruments are used to remove the damaged joint and replace it with a prosthesis.