How big is the scar after a hip replacement

Hello, Anon! Thank you for your post!

Total hip replacement (hip arthroplasty) is a common orthopedic procedure. Replacing the hip joint with an implant or "prosthesis" relieves pain and improves mobility so that patients are able to resume normal, everyday activities.

The traditional surgical approach to total hip replacement uses a single, long incision (10-12 inches) to view and access the hip joint. A variation of this approach is a minimally invasive procedure that makes one or two shorter incisions (a single 3-6 inch incision or two somewhat smaller incisions). Unlike traditional total hip replacement, the minimally invasive technique is not suitable for all patients. The length of the incision (and scar) also depends on the size of the patient and the difficulty of the procedure. Your surgeon will discuss the different surgical options with you.

Helena