Hemi Arthroplasty
This page provides general information about hemi arthroplasty — what it involves, who it may help, how it is performed, and what to consider when planning treatment abroad. This information is for educational purposes only. Final medical advice must come from a qualified healthcare professional who has evaluated your individual case.
Overview
Hemiarthroplasty means replacing only one half of a joint with an artificial component while leaving the other natural surface in place. The term is used most often for the hip, where the ball (femoral head) is replaced but the natural socket is preserved, and also for the shoulder, where the ball of the arm bone is replaced without resurfacing the socket.
In the hip, hemiarthroplasty is a common treatment for a displaced fracture of the femoral neck, particularly in older adults, because it allows rapid return to standing and walking and avoids the risk of a fractured head failing to heal. The goal is to relieve pain and restore mobility as safely and quickly as possible.
This page is an educational overview only. It is not medical advice, and no surgical outcome can be guaranteed. Whether hemiarthroplasty is right for you can only be decided after evaluation by a qualified orthopaedic surgeon.
Who May Need This
Hip hemiarthroplasty is usually considered for older adults with a displaced femoral neck fracture who have lower activity demands and a hip socket that is not significantly arthritic. Shoulder hemiarthroplasty may be considered for certain complex fractures of the upper arm bone or for arthritis limited to the ball, in selected patients.
The choice reflects the type of injury or disease, the condition of the other joint surface, the patient’s activity level, and overall health. A more active patient, or one whose socket is also worn, may be better served by a total replacement. Only a surgeon can determine the best option after assessment.
When It May Be Recommended
In the hip, hemiarthroplasty is often recommended urgently after a displaced femoral neck fracture, when preserving and fixing the natural head is unlikely to succeed. In the shoulder, it may be recommended for fractures that cannot be reconstructed or for limited arthritis when a total or reverse prosthesis is not suitable.
The decision balances the speed of recovery, the durability of the result, and the patient’s demands. The final recommendation depends on individual evaluation.
Diagnosis and Evaluation
Evaluation includes a history and examination and X-rays to define the fracture or arthritis; CT may add detail for complex fractures. Because many patients are older, a careful assessment of general health — heart, lungs, kidneys, and other conditions — is essential before surgery and anaesthesia.
Blood tests, an ECG, and a medication review help plan the operation and blood-clot prevention. For fractures, surgery is usually arranged promptly, as early treatment improves outcomes.
Treatment Options
For a displaced femoral neck fracture, the main options are hemiarthroplasty and total hip replacement; internal fixation (fixing the fracture with screws) may be used for younger patients or undisplaced fractures. For shoulder problems, options include non-surgical care, hemiarthroplasty, and total or reverse replacement.
The right choice depends on the injury or disease, the condition of the opposite joint surface, and the patient’s activity and health. Your surgeon will explain which options apply.
How It Is Performed
Hemiarthroplasty is performed under general or regional anaesthesia. In the hip, the surgeon removes the fractured or damaged ball and inserts a metal stem into the thighbone topped by a new ball component that moves within the natural socket; the stem may be cemented or press-fit. Some designs use a “bipolar” head with an inner bearing to reduce socket wear.
In the shoulder, a metal ball on a stem replaces the humeral head while the natural socket is left in place. Stability and motion are checked before closing. The procedure commonly takes one to two hours.
Preparation
For planned surgery, preparation includes pre-operative tests, optimising medical conditions, and reviewing medications — especially blood thinners — with your doctor. For fracture surgery, the team stabilises the patient and proceeds without unnecessary delay.
Arrange home support and mobility aids for recovery. If travelling abroad for a planned procedure, allow for the recommended in-country stay and bring your imaging and records.
Benefits and Expected Goals
The goals are pain relief and a rapid return to standing and walking, which is especially important after a hip fracture to avoid the complications of prolonged bed rest. Hemiarthroplasty is generally quicker and involves less surgery than a total replacement.
Benefits vary by individual and overall health. Because the natural socket remains, some patients may develop socket wear and pain over time. Realistic expectations, tailored to age and function, give the best satisfaction.
Risks and Possible Complications
Hemiarthroplasty carries risks, and older fracture patients may have higher medical risk overall.
- Infection or wound-healing problems
- Dislocation of the new joint
- Wear of the natural socket over time (in the hip), sometimes needing conversion to total replacement
- Blood clots in the leg or lung
- Fracture around the implant, or loosening over time
- General medical complications related to surgery and anaesthesia
Your surgeon will explain the risks specific to your health. Report fever, spreading redness, drainage, or a sudden change in leg position with severe pain promptly.
Recovery, Follow-up & Aftercare
Recovery varies by patient. After hip hemiarthroplasty, early mobilisation with physiotherapy is encouraged to restore walking and prevent complications; after shoulder hemiarthroplasty, the arm is protected in a sling with guided exercises.
Blood-clot prevention, wound care, and rehabilitation are important. Attend follow-up appointments and X-rays, and arrange rehabilitation and monitoring with your local doctor before travelling home after a planned procedure.
Medical Tourism Planning
Acute hip fractures generally require urgent surgery close to home rather than travel. For planned hemiarthroplasty, choose a JCI- or ISO-accredited hospital with an experienced orthopaedic team, and ask how complications and follow-up would be handled.
Plan for the in-country stay your team recommends, arrange ongoing physiotherapy and follow-up at home, consider medical travel insurance, and request a written treatment plan and cost estimate before you travel.
Estimated Cost Factors
The cost depends on the country and hospital, surgeon’s fees, the implant type (including bipolar designs), anaesthesia, length of stay, and rehabilitation. Overall medical complexity, common in older patients, can affect the total.
Many international destinations offer joint surgery at a fraction of typical US prices, but figures vary widely by case. Online prices are only estimates — always request a personalized written quote for your specific situation before deciding.
Choosing a Hospital or Specialist
Look for recognised accreditation (JCI, ISO, or a strong national equivalent) and an orthopaedic team experienced in the relevant procedure, with good perioperative medical support for older patients. Confirm the surgeon’s board certification and experience, and ask about infection prevention.
Ask about international patient services, interpreter support, physiotherapy facilities, and the follow-up plan. Transparent written cost and treatment plans and clear communication are signs of a quality programme.
Alternatives
Alternatives depend on the diagnosis. For hip fractures they include internal fixation (screws) or total hip replacement; for shoulder problems they include non-surgical care and total or reverse replacement. Non-operative management may be considered in patients too frail for surgery, weighed carefully against its own risks.
Each option has different benefits, risks, and recovery. Discuss all of them with your surgeon so the plan fits your situation.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- Why is hemiarthroplasty recommended for me rather than a total replacement or fixation?
- What type of implant will you use, and is it cemented or press-fit?
- What are the specific risks in my case, given my overall health?
- How soon will I be able to stand and walk, and what rehabilitation will I need?
- Could I need a further operation, such as conversion to total replacement, in the future?
- For planned surgery abroad, how long should I stay in-country?
- What is included in the written cost estimate?
✅Safety Checklist Before Traveling
Use this checklist to help ensure your safety when planning medical treatment abroad.
- Verify hospital accreditation (JCI, ISO, TEMOS)
- Verify specialist credentials and board certification
- Get a written treatment plan from your doctor
- Get a written cost estimate with included/excluded items
- Arrange follow-up care with your local doctor
- Confirm medical visa and travel documents
- Consider medical travel insurance
- Keep copies of all medical records and reports
- Share your travel plans with a family member or companion
- Know the emergency contact numbers at your destination
🚨 When to Seek Urgent Medical Help
Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following:
- • Severe chest pain or difficulty breathing
- • Heavy or uncontrolled bleeding
- • Sudden weakness, confusion, or loss of consciousness
- • Severe allergic reaction (swelling, rash, difficulty breathing)
- • High fever (above 101°F / 38.3°C) after a procedure
- • Worsening pain, redness, or swelling at a surgical site
- • Any symptom that feels severe, unexpected, or concerning to you
After hemiarthroplasty, seek urgent care for fever with increasing pain, redness, or wound drainage, a leg that suddenly appears shorter or rotated with severe pain (possible dislocation), calf pain or swelling, or sudden shortness of breath or chest pain.
🚨 If you have a life-threatening emergency, call local emergency services immediately. Do not wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hemiarthroplasty (“half” replacement) replaces only one side of a joint — for example, the ball of the hip — leaving the natural socket in place. Total replacement resurfaces both sides. Hemiarthroplasty is often chosen for displaced hip fractures in older or less active patients, while total replacement is preferred when the socket is also arthritic or the patient is more active.
Hip hemiarthroplasty is commonly used for a displaced fracture of the femoral neck in older patients whose hip socket is not arthritic and who have lower activity demands. If the socket is worn or the patient is younger and active, a total hip replacement may give better long-term results. Your surgeon decides based on the fracture, socket, and your health.
Early mobilisation is a priority, especially after fracture surgery in older adults, so many patients are helped to stand and walk with aids within a day or two to reduce complications of bed rest. Progression depends on your strength, pain, and overall condition, guided by physiotherapy.
Yes. Because the metal ball moves against natural cartilage, the socket can gradually wear over time, sometimes causing groin pain. If this happens, the hemiarthroplasty can often be converted to a total hip replacement. This is one reason total replacement is preferred for more active patients.
Planned hemiarthroplasty (for example, for shoulder conditions or elective hip cases) can be performed at accredited hospitals abroad. Acute hip fractures usually need urgent local surgery. Choose a JCI- or ISO-accredited centre, confirm the surgeon’s experience, and request a personalized written quote and treatment plan.
References
This section lists sources supporting the information on this page. Content is periodically reviewed for accuracy.
- • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) — Hip Fractures
- • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) — Hip Fracture: Management
- • Mayo Clinic — Hip Fracture