What is a hip replacement?
The worn ball-and-socket of an arthritic hip is replaced with smooth, hard-wearing implants — removing the source of pain and stiffness. It is one of the most successful operations in modern surgery, and Mr Edmondson performs it routinely for both older and younger, active patients.
Is it right for me?
Surgery is considered when pain limits your walking, sleep or independence and injections or physiotherapy no longer help. Age matters less than you may think — activity, anatomy and implant choice shape the right timing, and around a third of patients Mr Edmondson sees are advised not to have surgery yet.
What happens on the day
You will usually be admitted on the morning of surgery. The operation takes around 60–90 minutes under spinal or general anaesthetic, and most patients are walking with support the same day thanks to enhanced-recovery protocols at Nuffield and Spire.
Your recovery, week by week
Day 1
Walking with support, home within 1–2 days
Weeks 1–2
Walking indoors comfortably, staples/stitches reviewed
Weeks 4–6
Driving again, back to desk-based work
Months 3+
Golf, cycling, swimming — impact sport discussed individually
Risks & honest conversations
Every operation carries risks, and hip replacement is no exception. Rather than a list of percentages, you will have an honest conversation at your consultation about the risks that apply to you specifically — and what we do to minimise each one. No guarantees are made about outcomes; that honesty is part of the care.