Bilateral Hip Replacement Occasionally, both hips need to be replaced. Most patients spread out the surgery, spacing a number of months or years between each hip replacement. If the decision is made to perform a total hip replacement on both hips, the surgery can be performed during one hospitalization. The surgery is then scheduled for each hip a week or so apart. It can also be performed in one operation.
Hospitalization is generally for two weeks or more.
The advantages of total hip replacement are striking. The relief of pain is usually quite dramatic. Most patients are able to engage in most ordinary activities exceedingly well. Significant advances have been made in the way cement and the implants are used. New ideas and new implant designs are constantly being designed and tested.