How many times can you have a hip replacement?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 19, 2026
Your new hip is designed to serve you well for a long time, but it won't last forever. If you're young and active, you may need the same hip replaced again down the road. 95% of hip replacements last at least 10 years, about 75% last 15 to 20 years, and just over half last 25 years or more.
Can hip replacement be done twice?
Over time, however, a hip replacement can fail for a variety of reasons. When this occurs, your doctor may recommend that you have a second operation to remove some or all of the parts of the original prosthesis and replace them with new ones. This procedure is called revision total hip replacement.
How often do hip replacements have to be redone?
A THR prosthesis usually lasts for 15 to 20 years. This means that for elderly people, it may last for life. But in younger patients, especially those who maintain an active lifestyle, a THR prosthesis may need to be replaced later in life.
Does hip replacement shorten your life?
Summary: Hip replacement surgery not only improves quality of life but is also associated with increased life expectancy, compared to people of similar age and sex, according to a new report.
What is the average lifespan of a hip replacement?
Assuming that estimates from national registries are less likely to be biased, patients and surgeons can expect a hip replacement to last 25 years in around 58% of patients.
42 related questions foundWhat is worse hip replacement or knee replacement?
A hip replacement is a much less painful operation. People are on crutches for a while, and then their hips feel normal. But it takes six months to a year to recover from total knee surgery, and even then, the knee just doesn't feel normal.
Is the second hip replacement worse than the first?
The procedure is more complex and difficult than the initial hip or knee replacement. Yet, studies show that more than 9 out of 10 people who undergo revision surgery have good to excellent results.
Can a hip replacement last 30 years?
Your new hip is designed to serve you well for a long time, but it won't last forever. If you're young and active, you may need the same hip replaced again down the road. 95% of hip replacements last at least 10 years, about 75% last 15 to 20 years, and just over half last 25 years or more.
Can you get an MRI if you have had a hip replacement?
Yes. MRI scans of other parts of your body are safe after hip replacement. Although some old MRI scanning equipment may not be compatible with your prosthesis, the majority of MRI scanning equipment today is safe and compatible with hip replacement parts.
How do you know if hip replacement is failing?
Hip pain, groin pain, or thigh pain are all signs that your hip replacement could have an issue, although other referred pains can cause these symptoms too. Pain when you first get up to walk can also be a concern. Some people report instability or feeling like their hip is going to give out.
How do you know if your hip replacement needs to be replaced?
How Do You Know If You Need a Hip Replacement?
- You Have Chronic and Significant Pain. ...
- Your Hip Disability Makes Completing Routine Tasks Difficult. ...
- Hip Stiffness Limits Your Normal Range of Motion in the Joint. ...
- Conservative Treatments Do Not Adequately Relieve Hip Pain.
Why does my hip replacement hurt after a year?
Pain that never improves after surgery is likely a complication of the surgery itself, such as infection, instability, fracture, or poor implant alignment. Persistent pain can also be a sign of other pathology that may have been missed, including lumbar or sacroiliac joint disease.
Can you live a normal life after hip replacement?
Around three months after your hip operation, most things will go back to normal, and the pain goes away for most people. You need to look out for signs of complications and continue being careful with how you move your hip. After 6 to 12 months, the recovery is considered complete.
Does weather affect a hip replacement?
Replacement joints are not usually painful when the temperature drops, but stiffness and increased sensitivity are not uncommon. Though not ideal, these sensations are normal. With some simple steps, you can keep your joints moving smoothly – without having to book a tropical vacation.
Are hip replacements titanium?
In the modern era of hip replacements, cemented stems (inserted with a surgical bone cement) are composed of cobalt-chromium metals. Cementless stems (implants in which your bone grows into the metal) are routinely made of titanium.
What is the youngest age for a hip replacement?
Patients under 50–55 years of age are considered young to be having total hip replacements. These patients nearly always have an identifiable cause for their premature arthritis making them different from normal 'wear and tear' arthritis of older age.
How long does a second hip replacement last?
Studies suggest that 90 percent of knee and hip replacements still function well 10 to 15 years after they're implanted, but recent joint replacement innovations may make them last even longer.
Which method of hip replacement is the best?
The posterior approach to total hip replacement is the most commonly used method and allows the surgeon excellent visibility of the joint, more precise placement of implants and is minimally invasive.
What you Cannot do after hip replacement?
Hip replacement patients are given a long list of things not to do—do not bend the hips or knees further than 90 degrees, do not cross the legs, do not lift the leg to put on socks, and much more. These movement restrictions protect the new hip from dislocation.
What are the disadvantages of hip replacement?
Three Cons of Hip Replacement
- Possible Infections. Dr. Sutphen: A minimal number of surgery patients (roughly around 1%) can develop an infection around their hip replacement. ...
- Potential for Change in Leg Length. Dr. ...
- Possible Mechanical Complications.
Can you still have arthritis after hip replacement?
Although they are rare, such problems include: Not enough pain relief. Joint replacement surgery relieves the pain and stiffness of arthritis for most people. Some people may still have some symptoms of arthritis.
Is hip replacement major surgery?
A hip replacement is major surgery, so it is usually only recommended if other treatments, such as physiotherapy or steroid injections, have not helped reduce pain or improve mobility.
How long after hip replacement is there a risk of dislocation?
After primary THA, patients are most likely to dislocate during the first 6 weeks to 8 weeks following surgery when the soft tissues are still healing, according to A.
Does losing weight affect hip replacement?
Patients who lose weight have better joint replacement outcomes in terms of function and activity level two years down the road.
Is walking good for hip pain?
Running and jumping can make hip pain from arthritis and bursitis worse, so it's best to avoid them. Walking is a better choice, advises Humphrey.