Partial Hip Replacement (Hemiarthroplasty)
Partial hip replacement with Dr. Steven Ward in Tucson and Oro Valley — replacing the broken ball of the hip after a displaced femoral neck fracture so you can stand, bear weight, and start therapy right away.
Call 520-881-1394Typical ranges for general education. Dr. Ward’s plan for you may differ.
What it treats
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The femoral neck is the narrow section just below the ball. When it breaks and the pieces shift (a displaced femoral neck fracture), the blood supply to the ball is often damaged, so the ball may not heal or may later collapse.
- Most common in older adults with osteoporosis after a fall; more than 300,000 people in the U.S. break a hip each year
- Sudden pain in the groin or upper thigh, and usually not being able to stand or put weight on the leg
- The leg often looks shorter and turned outward
A hemiarthroplasty replaces only the ball (the femoral head) with a metal ball on a stem in the femur. Your own socket is left in place.
Is surgery right for you?
Almost all hip fractures need surgery to relieve pain and get you up and moving, which helps prevent blood clots, pneumonia, bed sores, and confusion. Which operation depends on the fracture and your health:
- Femoral neck fracture, older or less active patient — a partial hip replacement is the choice
- Femoral neck fracture, active patient — a total hip replacement (ball and socket) is the choice, and may give better function and less leftover pain
- Intertrochanteric fracture (a break lower down) — fixed with the Stryker Gamma 4 nail rather than a replacement
Before surgery, the hospital team makes sure you are medically ready (optimization), which can include adjusting blood thinners. See the hip fracture page for the full picture.
How the surgery is done
Dr. Ward typically performs hemiarthroplasty through an anterior approach at the front of the hip.
The broken ball is removed and a stem is seated in the femur. Dr. Ward uses the DePuy Actis stem, the same stem he uses for hip replacement, with a metal ball sized to fit your own socket.
The anesthesia team will talk with you about options such as a spinal anesthetic or general anesthesia. Medicine injected in the hip during surgery gives about 2–3 days of added pain relief.
Partial vs. total
Partial: replaces the ball only. A common, durable choice for older, less active patients after a femoral neck fracture.
Total: replaces the ball and the socket, and is used for active patients. Dr. Ward will recommend the option that fits your health and activity.
Recovery overview
These timelines come from Dr. Ward’s hip fracture page and post-operative packet. Dr. Ward’s plan for you may differ.
In the hospital
- Physical therapy often starts the day after surgery; with a hip replacement you can usually put full weight on the leg right away
- Brief antibiotics, a blood thinner to lower clot risk, and pain medicine
- You may go home with home health therapy or to a short-term rehab facility, depending on your mobility and help at home
First weeks
- Leave the dressing on for 7 days, then leave the incision open to air if it is dry
- Do not soak or submerge the incision for 6 weeks
- If you sleep on your side, keep a pillow between your legs, and avoid bending excessively at the waist
- First clinic visit about 10–14 days after surgery
Months 1–6
- Plan on 3–6 months of physical therapy, with home exercises between visits
- Take pain medicine before therapy so pain does not hold you back
- A broken hip can reduce independence for a while, which is why thorough rehab matters
When to call the clinic
Call 520-881-1394 if you notice any of the following after surgery or while you are recovering:
- A fever of 101°F or higher, or chills
- Redness spreading around an incision, or drainage that is cloudy, foul-smelling, or keeps soaking the dressing after the first few days
- Toes or a foot that turn pale, blue, or cold, or numbness or tingling in the leg or foot that does not go away once the anesthesia has worn off
- A cast, splint, or boot that feels too tight: throbbing pain, swelling, or numbness under it that does not ease after you raise your leg above your heart. Do not cut or remove a cast yourself
- Pain that is not controlled by your prescribed medication, elevation, ice, and rest
- Pain, swelling, or tenderness in the calf that is new or getting worse
- The leg suddenly looks shorter or turned, or you cannot bear weight after a twist or fall, which can mean the hip has dislocated
It is normal for the leg to be swollen, bruised, and sore for a while, and for it to feel numb or weak until a nerve block or spinal anesthetic wears off. Use your crutches, walker, or boot as directed and follow your weight-bearing instructions exactly. Call if something feels different from what you were told to expect.
for chest pain, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing. These can be signs of a blood clot in the lungs and need emergency care.
Blood clots are uncommon, but the risk is higher after hip surgery and joint replacement. Take your blood thinner exactly as directed, do ankle pumps while resting, and walk as instructed. Call the clinic for new calf pain, swelling, or tenderness.
If something does not match the instructions you were given, call the office. Dr. Ward or one of his physician assistants will get back to you.
Related resources
Partial Hip Replacement Post-Op Instructions
Dr. Ward’s printable handout for the weeks after partial hip replacement, including blood-clot prevention, wound care, activity, and when to call.
Open PDFHip fracture
Dr. Ward’s broken-hip page: fracture types, partial vs. total hip, nails, and the recovery plan.
Open pageTotal hip replacement
Dr. Ward’s anterior-approach hip replacement page, from scheduling through recovery.
Open pageHip post-op hub
Hip replacement and hip fracture packets, rehab guides, and post-op instructions.
Open pagePhysical therapy locations
Find a physical therapy clinic near you in Tucson and Oro Valley.
Open pageOrthoInfo: Hip fractures
Patient education on hip fractures and their treatment from the AAOS.
Visit OrthoInfoSchedule a visit
Call 520-881-1394 and we will find a time that works.
Call 520-881-1394Quick Links
Procedures
More on the site