Total hip replacement surgery (metal on metal)

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This surgery replaces diseased and damaged portions of the hip with implants designed to restore function to the hip joint.

After the femur (thigh bone) is removed from the hip socket, the damaged femoral head (ball) is removed. Damaged cartilage and bone are removed from the hip socket.

A metal shell implant is pressed into the hip socket. In some instances, bone cement or screws are used for additional fixation. A liner is locked into the metal shell to complete the replacement of the hip socket. Although many systems use polyethylene (plastic) liners, some use metal liners.

The surgeon now focuses on the femur implant. First, the end of the femur is hollowed out. A metal femoral implant (stem) is placed into the prepared canal of the femur. The implant may be pressed into place, or in some cases cement may be used.

A femoral head is attached to the femoral implant to replace the original damage femoral head. If a metal liner is used, the surgeon will match it with a metal ball.

The new ball and socket components are joined to form the new hip.