uncemented hip replacement

Last reviewed 01/2018

Uncemented hip replacements require a tightly fitting prosthesis with a surface into or onto which, bone grows.

One advantage over cemented replacements is that the uncemented variety is easier to revise - and thus should be considered in a young patient who may require a series of hip replacements with increasing age.

The principal drawbacks are that weight-bearing is not allowed for 6 weeks to 3 months after the operation, and that in the long term, the prosthesis may loosen more rapidly than a cemented one.

1-5% of patients complain of significant hip pain after an uncemented joint replacement; there may be a correlation between this and ingrowth of bone into the prosthesis - more growth causing more pain.