Orthopedics Hip & Knee Hip Replacement Surgery What Type of Hip Replacement Implant Is Best? By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD LinkedIn Twitter Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 25, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Miho J. Tanaka, MD Medically reviewed by Miho J. Tanaka, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Miho J. Tanaka, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the treatment of sports medicine injuries. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Angela Underwood Fact checked by Angela Underwood LinkedIn Angela Underwood's extensive local, state, and federal healthcare and environmental news coverage includes 911 first-responder compensation policy to the Ciba-Geigy water contamination case in Toms River, NJ. Her additional health-related coverage includes death and dying, skin care, and autism spectrum disorder. Learn about our editorial process Print There are many orthopedic manufacturing companies that produce different implants used in hip replacement surgery. Most of these companies make several different hip replacement prostheses. Is there a way to determine which hip replacement implant is best? Peter Dazeley / Getty Images Hip Replacement Surgery When a hip replacement surgery is performed, a damaged, worn-out hip joint is replaced with an artificial implant. The materials used in the artificial implant may vary, but they often include metal, plastic, or ceramic. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint, and removal of the hip joint requires the surgeon to remove the ball and reshape the socket. The artificial implant is then positioned in the bone. The implant may be held in the bone by tightly wedging it in place, or it may be cemented into position. The type of fixation used will depend on the patient's bone health and the design of the implant. Hip Implants Asking orthopedic surgeons what hip replacement is best is like going to a car show and asking people which car is best. You'll find lots of different answers, and each person thinks they've got the right one. That is not to say that any one individual is right or wrong, but there are many factors, and sometimes different factors, that surgeons may consider when evaluating which type of implant they prefer to use. One of the most important aspects of hip replacement surgery is determining the proper implant to be used in the operation. However, the criteria used to select the best hip replacement implant also vary: Do you use the implant with the newest design, or the implant with the longest track record?Does a surgeon use many different implants depending on each patient's needs, or become an expert in using one type for the specific patients whom it suits?Should a surgeon use implants suggested or asked for by their patients? Orthopedic supply companies have begun to advertise directly to consumers. Advertisements are seen in magazines and newspapers, on late-night television, and in brochures at your healthcare provider's office. The advertisements might make you think one implant has been shown to be better than others. This has been seen recently with ads for ceramic hip replacements. However, the truth is that no one knows what the "best" implant is. The ideal hip replacement implant will allow for normal activities, normal motion, and last the patient's lifetime. The only way to know if these goals will be met is to use the implant in people preforming normal activities, and then follow their results for decades. As a result, implants designed recently do not have long-term track records to prove their longevity. Implant Options for Hip Replacement Implant Brand vs. Surgeon's Expertise Another factor that is important for patients to understand is that the brand of hip replacement is likely not the most important factor in determining how long the implant is going to last. One of the most important aspects of ensuring an artificial joint will last as long as possible is a precise, accurate surgery. Having a properly aligned joint replacement is critical to the long-term functioning of the implant. A good analogy is to think of the tires on your car. It does not matter what brand of tires you put on the car—if the wheels are not properly aligned, they're not going to last. Finding a surgeon who has good experience with joint replacement surgery and has a good track record of results is important. It may seem difficult to identify a surgeon with the right level of experience, but there are questions you can ask and people whose opinions you can query to help find the right surgeon. Criteria Patients and surgeons should select an implant that fits the following criteria:The implant has a reasonable track record of use (minimum of 5 to 10 years)The surgeon has used the implant beforeIt is appropriate for the patient's condition A Word From Verywell If you have questions about a specific implant, ask your healthcare provider or surgeon about it, and ask them to compare it to the implant he or she usually uses. If you want more information about an implant, you can read more at company websites. In addition, it is reasonable to ask your surgeon if they receive any financial compensation from an implant company. There is a potential conflict of interest when surgeons use implants made by companies from which they receive financial compensation. In these situations, your surgeon should disclose that potential conflict of interest and explain why, specifically, they recommend one implant over another for your condition. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with joint pain can cause major disruptions to your day. Sign up and learn how to better take care of your body. Click below and just hit send! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 2 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institutes of Health. Hip Replacement. Begun A, MacGregor AJ, Pchejetski D, Kulinskaya E. Dynamic early identification of hip replacement implants with high revision rates. Study based on the NJR data from UK during 2004-2012. Mathes T, ed. PLoS ONE. 2020;15(8):e0236701. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236701.