Orthopedics Hip & Knee Hip Replacement Surgery Print What Type of Hip Replacement Implant Is Best? Medically reviewed by a board-certified physician Written by twitter linkedin Written by Jonathan Cluett, MD Dr. Jonathan Cluett is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Learn about our editorial policy Jonathan Cluett, MD Updated on December 01, 2019 Peter Dazeley / Getty Images More in Orthopedics Hip & Knee Hip Replacement Surgery Causes of Pain ACL Injury Kneecap (Patella) Conditions Knee Ligament Injuries Knee Replacement Surgery Meniscus Injuries Hip Injuries Surgical Procedures Replacement Implants Sprains & Strains Fractures & Broken Bones Physical Therapy Orthopedic Surgery Osteoporosis Pediatric Orthopedics Sports Injuries Shoulder & Elbow Hand & Wrist Leg, Foot & Ankle Assistive Devices & Orthotics Medication & Injections View All 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? 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 her 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, people disagree on what criteria are most important to selecting the best hip replacement implant. 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, or become most comfortable with using one type for every patient?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, newspapers, late-night television, or brochures in your doctor's office. The advertisements might make you believe that one implant has been shown to be better than others. This has been seen recently with ads for ceramic hip replacements. 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 doing normal activities, and follow their results for decades. Therefore, implants designed recently do not have long-term track records that 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 and the implant is going to last. One of the most important aspects of ensuring an artificial joint will last as long as possible is ensuring that the surgery was done in a precise, and accurate way. Having a properly aligned joint replacement is critical to the long-term functioning of that 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 or not properly aligned, they are 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 can be difficult to find 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 doctor about the hip replacement prosthesis. Ask your surgeon 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 a vascular surgeon if they receive any financial compensation from an implant company. There is a potential conflict of interest when surgeons or using implants from companies that they receive financial compensation from. In these situations, your surgeon should disclose that potential conflict of interest, but it is reasonable to ask the question. 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 Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Total Hip Replacement - OrthoInfo. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. October 2007. Continue Reading