Hip replacement in your 30s, 40s or 50s is increasingly common. Young patient hip replacement requires careful consideration of implant choice, surgical technique and long-term durability. Professor Bill Walter is a specialist orthopaedic surgeon at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, with extensive experience helping younger, active patients make informed decisions about hip surgery.

Why Would a Young Patient Need a Hip Replacement?

Most people associate hip replacement with older patients, but younger patients in their 30s, 40s and 50s can develop severe hip arthritis that significantly limits their quality of life. Common reasons include:

  • Osteoarthritis — premature wear of the hip joint, sometimes related to hip dysplasia or previous injury
  • Avascular necrosis — loss of blood supply to the femoral head, causing bone collapse
  • Post-traumatic arthritis — arthritis following a hip fracture or dislocation
  • Inflammatory arthritis — such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis
  • Hip dysplasia — abnormal development of the hip socket leading to early joint wear

When conservative treatments such as physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medication and injections no longer provide adequate relief, hip replacement surgery may be the best option.

Hip Replacement in Your 40s and 50s: What Are Your Options?

For younger, active patients, implant selection is particularly important. The goal is to choose a bearing surface that will last as long as possible and allow a return to an active lifestyle. Professor Walter discusses the following options with his younger patients:

Ceramic-on-Ceramic Hip Resurfacing

Ceramic-on-ceramic hip resurfacing is Professor Walter’s preferred option for suitable younger patients. Rather than removing the femoral head, resurfacing caps it with a ceramic component — conserving bone and preserving more normal hip anatomy. Key advantages include:

  • Bone conservation — the femoral head and neck are preserved
  • Lower dislocation rates due to the large femoral head size
  • High return to impact sport and physical activity
  • Easier revision surgery if required in the future

Professor Walter uses the ReCerf implant, manufactured from BIOLOX delta ceramic by Matortho. For more information, see the Resurfacing Hip Replacement page.

Total Hip Replacement with Ceramic Bearings

For patients who are not suitable candidates for resurfacing — for example, women with smaller femoral head sizes, or patients with significant bone loss — a total hip replacement using ceramic-on-ceramic or ceramic-on-polyethylene bearings is an excellent option. Modern ceramic bearings offer very low wear rates and are well suited to active younger patients.

What Implant is Best for a Young, Active Patient?

For more detailed information on hip implant materials and bearing surfaces, see the Hip Implant Information page. Professor Walter will discuss your individual circumstances, bone quality, activity level and anatomy to recommend the most appropriate implant for you.

Making an Appointment

If you are a younger patient experiencing hip pain and would like to discuss your options, please contact Professor Walter’s rooms at the Tom Reeve Academic Surgical Clinic, Kolling Building, 10 Westbourne Street, St Leonards NSW 2065, or call (02) 9160 6662.