Bilateral Total Hip Replacement

Bilateral Total Hip Replacement

Replacing both hip joints to treat severe arthritis or joint damage

Bilateral total hip replacement refers to hip replacement surgery performed on both hips to treat conditions affecting each joint. Some patients experience significant pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in both hips, often due to arthritis or joint degeneration. When both hip joints are affected, replacing each joint may help improve mobility, comfort, and overall function.

Bilateral hip replacement surgery may be performed during the same operation or as two separate procedures performed at different times, depending on your symptoms, overall health, and surgical planning.

When Bilateral Hip Replacement May Be Considered

Bilateral hip replacement may be considered when both hip joints are significantly affected by disease or damage.

Conditions that may affect both hips include:

• Hip osteoarthritis
• Inflammatory arthritis affecting the hip joints
• Avascular necrosis affecting both hips
• Hip dysplasia
• Joint damage following injury or trauma

Patients with advanced arthritis in both hips often experience difficulty with walking, standing, climbing stairs, and everyday activities. When non-surgical treatments are no longer providing sufficient relief, hip replacement surgery may be considered as part of a treatment plan.

Simultaneous vs Staged Bilateral Hip Replacement

There are two main approaches to bilateral hip replacement surgery.

• Simultaneous Bilateral Hip Replacement: In some patients, both hip joints may be replaced during the same operation. This is known as simultaneous bilateral hip replacement. This approach may be considered in selected patients depending on overall health, fitness for surgery, and the severity of hip disease.
• Staged Bilateral Hip Replacement: In other cases, hip replacement surgery may be performed one hip at a time, with a period of recovery between procedures. This is known as staged bilateral hip replacement. The second procedure is typically performed once the first hip has recovered sufficiently.

Dr Harvie will discuss whether a simultaneous or staged approach may be most appropriate based on your medical history and overall condition.

Recovery After Bilateral Hip Replacement

Recovery following bilateral hip replacement varies depending on whether the procedure is performed simultaneously or in stages.

Rehabilitation typically includes:

• Early mobilisation following surgery
• Physiotherapy to support hip movement and strength
• Gradual return to walking and daily activities
• Follow-up appointments to monitor recovery

Recovery timelines vary between individuals and depend on factors such as overall health, muscle strength, and rehabilitation progress.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY