Care areaHip
Performed byKeith Johnson, MD

The short answer

Total hip replacement is surgery that removes the damaged ball and socket of the hip and replaces them with an implant. Dr. Johnson performs hip replacement in Clifton for people whose arthritis or joint damage no longer responds to non-surgical care, after conservative options such as therapy and injections have been tried.

Keith Johnson performs total hip replacement in Clifton when it is the right step, and reviews every alternative with you first.

What is Total Hip Replacement?

Total hip replacement is a procedure that replaces a worn hip joint with an artificial one.

The surgeon removes the damaged ball at the top of the thigh bone and the worn surface of the socket, then places a metal, plastic, or ceramic implant that recreates the joint.

It is most often used for hip arthritis, the wearing of cartilage that cushions the joint, when pain limits walking, sleep, or daily activity. It is also used after certain fractures and for joint damage from other conditions.

The goal is to reduce pain and restore movement. Surgery is a step taken after non-surgical care has been tried, not a first response to hip pain.

What happens during Total Hip Replacement, step by step?

During a total hip replacement, the surgeon reaches the joint through an incision, removes the damaged ball and socket surfaces, and places the implant components.

The socket is lined with a smooth cup, and a new ball on a stem is fitted into the thigh bone, recreating a joint that glides.

Surgeons use different approaches, meaning the direction from which the joint is reached, such as anterior from the front or posterior from the back. No single approach is right for everyone; the choice depends on your anatomy and your surgeon's judgment. The implant materials and fixation are also selected for your case.

**Hip Osteoarthritis**Labeled medical illustration of hip osteoarthritis Read more

What is recovery like after Total Hip Replacement?

Recovery from hip replacement happens in stages.

Many people stand and take steps with support the day of surgery or the next day. Walking with a cane or walker for a period is common, and many people move to walking without an aid over the following weeks. Returning to low-impact activities such as walking for exercise or cycling commonly takes about 6 to 12 weeks, according to general guidance from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. These are ranges, not promises. Your timeline depends on your health before surgery, your rehabilitation, and the demands of your daily life. Your surgical team will map it with you.

Read the full guide to preparing for surgery

Your own recovery instructions come from the office and are specific to you. This page describes the general course, not a plan to follow.

What are the treatment options?

01
Low-impact exercise and physical therapy to keep the hip moving and strongLow-impact exercise and physical therapy to keep the hip moving and strong.
02
Weight management to lower the load passing through the jointWeight management to lower the load passing through the joint.
03
Anti-inflammatory medication, when appropriate and reviewed with your physicianAnti-inflammatory medication, when appropriate and reviewed with your physician.
04
A cane or walking aid to reduce load on the hipA cane or walking aid to reduce load on the hip.
05
Corticosteroid injections, a shot of anti-inflammatory medicine into the joint, for temporCorticosteroid injections, a shot of anti-inflammatory medicine into the joint, for temporary relief.
06
Total hip replacement, considered when the steps above no longer control pain and daily liTotal hip replacement, considered when the steps above no longer control pain and daily life is limited.

Training and credentials

Education and training

Medical school at University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA. Residency at Howard University Hospital, Washington, D.C. Fellowship at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY.

FellowshipLenox Hill Hospital, New York, NYOrthopedic Sports Medicine
ResidencyHoward University Hospital, Washington, D.COrthopedic Surgery
Medical schoolUniversity of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VADoctor of Medicine
Board statusAmerican Board of Orthopaedic SurgeryBoard certified

What do patients ask most?

How long does a hip replacement last?

Modern hip implants commonly last many years, and a large share remain in place well beyond a decade, according to general guidance from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. These are ranges, not promises. How long an implant lasts depends on your activity, your weight, and your body's response.

When is hip replacement the right choice?

Hip replacement becomes reasonable when non-surgical care no longer controls pain and the hip limits walking, sleep, or daily tasks. There is no single point at which it is required. The decision is based on how much the hip affects your life, and you make it together with your surgeon.

What is the difference between anterior and posterior hip replacement?

These terms describe the direction from which the surgeon reaches the joint, from the front or from the back. Each has trade-offs, and neither is right for everyone. Your surgeon selects the approach based on your anatomy and the specifics of your case.

Will I be able to walk after hip replacement?

Most people stand and take supported steps within a day of surgery, then build up walking over the following weeks. Recovery is gradual and varies from person to person. Your rehabilitation plan and your health before surgery both shape how it goes.

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