Hip replacement in Ipswich
A hip replacement can relieve the pain and stiffness of hip arthritis when other treatments are no longer enough. I perform hip replacements at Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital for patients from across Suffolk and north Essex.
What is a hip replacement?
In a total hip replacement, the worn ball at the top of the thigh bone and the worn socket in the pelvis are replaced with artificial parts, usually made of metal and ceramic. The new joint is designed to move smoothly and without pain.
Who might it help?
Surgery is worth considering when hip pain or stiffness has a real effect on your daily life, such as walking, sleeping, working or caring for others, and exercise, weight management and painkillers are no longer enough. Age, weight or other health conditions do not on their own rule you out, but they affect the balance of benefits and risks, which we will discuss together.
Your first appointment
I will ask about your symptoms, examine your hip and review X-rays, which can usually be taken on the day. If surgery is not the right step yet, I will explain the other options. If it is, we will go through the operation, the recovery and the risks so that you can decide with confidence. There is no pressure to decide on the day.
The operation
The operation usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Most people have a spinal anaesthetic, which numbs the legs and helps early recovery, sometimes with sedation; a general anaesthetic is an alternative. Where suitable, I perform hip replacement through a smaller incision, combined with an accelerated rehabilitation programme, so most people are up and walking with the physiotherapists on the day of surgery or the next morning. Where it is clinically suitable, I can also perform the operation with Mako robotic assistance.
Recovery
- Most people go home after 1 to 2 nights.
- You will use crutches or sticks for the first few weeks.
- Most people can drive after about 6 weeks, once they can safely make an emergency stop.
- Office work is often possible after 4 to 6 weeks; heavier work may take around 3 months.
- Improvement continues for up to a year.
Read more about preparing for and recovering from your operation.
How long does a hip replacement last?
I use one of the best-performing implant combinations in the UK National Joint Registry, with one of the longest track records. Registry figures show that 95 in 100 of these hip replacements last more than 15 years after surgery, and many last longer. However, individual factors, such as your age and activity level, can affect this significantly.
Risks
Hip replacement is a common and generally successful operation, but every operation carries risks. They include infection (about 1 in 100), blood clots in the leg or lungs, dislocation of the new joint, a difference in leg length, a fracture around the implant, nerve or blood vessel injury, and wear or loosening that may need further surgery in the future. I will explain how these apply to you and the steps we take to reduce them.
Alternatives to surgery
Alternatives include exercise and physiotherapy, losing weight where appropriate, painkillers, a walking stick and, for some people, a steroid injection for short-term relief. These are worth trying first and may be enough. See hip arthritis.
Costs and insurance
I am recognised by Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, Aetna and Healix. Please check your policy and ask your insurer for a pre-authorisation number before your first appointment. If you are paying for yourself, Nuffield Health Ipswich will give you a fixed-price package after your consultation. See fees and insurance.
Already had a hip replacement that is causing problems? See revision hip replacement.
Written and reviewed by Mr Krishna Boddu FRCS (Tr & Orth), consultant orthopaedic surgeon, GMC 5206961. Last reviewed: 1 November 2026.
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Book a consultation
I see patients at Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital. You can book online, or contact my secretary, Daniela Capaldo, who can also help with insurance and self-pay questions.