Hip Surgery on the Gold Coast
Dr Hartley is the lead surgeon for robot assisted hip replacements on the Gold Cost. Dr Hartley specialises in total hip replacements, revision hip surgery and surgical treatment of fractures around the hip and proximal (upper) femur.
Total hip replacement surgery
A total hip replacement is an effective solution to minimising hip pain, which is caused by the wearing away of the cartilage of the hip joint.
A total hip replacement replaces the head (the ball) of your femur and resurfaces the acetabulum (socket or cup) of the pelvis. The benefits of a total hip replacement are numerous and result in a significant improvement in your lifestyle and your quality of life.
Preparation for surgery
Dr Hartley's secretary will organise for you to be seen by a physician or at the pre-admission clinic prior to surgery. During this visit your specialist physician will review your investigations such as a chest x-ray, ECG and blood tests.
Stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatories and herbal medications at least seven days prior to surgery as they can cause increased bleeding as well as other side effects. You are strongly advised to cease smoking for as long as possible prior to surgery.
Your anaesthetist will meet you in the anaesthetic bay just prior to your operation and discuss your anaesthetic.
Recovery
If your surgery is in the morning you will be seen by a physiotherapist in the afternoon. If your surgery is in the afternoon you will be seen by a physiotherapist the following morning.
Revision hip replacement surgery
A revision hip replacement occurs when part or all of a total hip replacement fails or becomes loose. Common causes for joint replacement failure include infection, loosening of the components, wearing-out of the components which can cause dislocation or an unstable joint, fractures of the bone near the replacement and ongoing pain following the initial surgery.
You are more likely to require revision surgery the younger you are at the time of the original joint replacement. The failure rate of joint replacements is higher in younger patients due to the higher stresses younger people place on their components.
Preparation for Surgery
Surgery is usually, but not always, more extensive than the original surgery. You will be asked to undertake a general medical check-up with a physician and attend to any other medical, surgical or dental problems before your operation.
You are required to stop taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory and herbal medications 10 days prior to surgery as they can cause increased bleeding. Don't forget to make arrangements around the house prior to surgery i.e. try and organise your bed, kitchen and bathroom all on the one level for when you return home.
Surgery
Revision total hip replacement takes longer than a standard total hip replacement and therefore the complication rate is higher. Surgery is usually performed through the 
same incision but is usually extended in one or both directions.
Recovery
It is usual to spend about one week in hospital before being transferred to rehabilitation for another two weeks or so.
Hip fractures (breaks)
A hip fracture usually occurs just below the ball of your hip joint. The type of surgery you will require will depend on where the break is in the femur (thigh bone) and how comminuted the fracture is (how many pieces).
Surgery
Different surgical options include plate and screw fixation, intramedullary nail (a long rod inside the bone), a partial hip replacement or a total hip replacement.
Recovery
It is common to remain in hospital for between one and three weeks following surgery. A physiotherapist will see you once or twice a day following surgery. You might be recommended to be transferred to rehab for further physiotherapy after about one week.
For more information on total hip replacement surgery, revised hip replacement surgery or surgical operations to reduce hip pain and heal hip fractures - please call our receptionist on 1300 447 563 or complete our online enquiry form. .