Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty

Symptomatic hip osteoarthritis is a major cause of decreased quality of life in active young and old people. Total hip arthroplasty, considered by some as the “operation of the century,” is one of the most successful surgical procedures in medical history, allowing in most cases to restore the patient’s quality of life. A great variety of implants are available nowadays to perform this surgery, with excellent outcomes and survival rates in the short and long term. Each patient must be analyzed individually with risks and benefits to get the best treatment. Within this chapter, the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of primary hip replacement will be discussed.