We share valuable information about our hip surgery services in Harrogate.
The hip joint is formed of a ball at the top of your femur (thigh bone) called your femoral head, and your acetabulum (a socket), which is attached to your pelvis. A rim of cartilage, known as your labrum, surrounds the socket, allowing your bones to move freely.
If the structures inside your hip become damaged, you could be advised to have surgery. Irritation or damage can happen through an accident or injury, or because of certain medical conditions.
Typically, hip surgery is used to treat hip pain or other problems, such as stiffness or instability, that can’t be managed with non-surgical treatments.
If you suffer with hip problems, you may have tried options such as medication, heat therapy, or physiotherapy to help alleviate and manage your pain. For many people, these non-surgical treatments successfully reduce hip pain and help improve function and mobility. However, for others, non-invasive methods may not reduce or eliminate pain as effectively.
If you have not found relief through non-invasive treatment options, you might benefit from hip surgery.
Some of the conditions our orthopaedic surgeons see most frequently include:
This type of arthritis can occur due to the natural wear and tear of your joint over time. It’s more common as we get older, but can affect people of any age. Osteoarthritis can damage the cartilage that surrounds your joint and cause bony growths to form on the outside of your joint.
This is caused by a response where your immune system wrongly attacks your a layer of cells that line your joint. As a result, this layer becomes inflamed, causing it to release chemicals that damage the tissue around your joint.
Your labrum is the cartilage found around your hip socket. It is responsible for stabilizing and lubricating your joint. A labral tear commonly results from an injury and can cause severe discomfort, as well as impacting the movement of your hip.
This refers to a break or crack at the upper part of your femur (thigh bone).
A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between different parts of your joints. You have two main bursaes in your hip – one that covers the top of your thigh bone (your greater trochanter) and another that is located on the inside of your hip, which is called your iliopsoas bursa. If your iliopsoas bursa becomes inflamed, it can lead to hip bursitis. Inflammation in your bursa located on the top of your thigh is called trochanteric bursitis.
Impingement means part of your hip is pressing on an area it shouldn’t be. A hip impingement syndrome, which is also called a femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), occurs following abnormal contact between your the ball at top of your femur (femoral head) and the socket (acetabulum). It can be caused by unusual bone growth that prevents your bones from fitting inside your joint. Hip impingement surgery can be performed through a keyhole surgery (arthroscopy). The procedure involves reshaping these bones to help them fit inside your joint.
At The Duchy Hospital, your Orthopaedic Surgeon will often consider surgery after initial treatment such as pain relief medication, injection therapy and physiotherapy have all been tried. If these have not improved the condition of your hip, surgery can be considered.
Your Orthopaedic Surgeon will also suggest surgery if you are experiencing the following symptoms:
If you would like a personalised quote for the treatment you need, give us a call and one of our dedicated advisors can provide one.
If you are paying for your own treatment, you'll be given a fixed-price package, which will include a full breakdown of costs so you know exactly what's included. Our self-pay customers can take advantage of flexible payment options, allowing you to spread the cost over monthly instalments.
If you have private medical insurance, hip surgery may be covered by your policy. Speak to your provider to find out, or call our team for advice. We liaise directly with insurers to make things easier for you.
At your initial consultation, they will ask about your symptoms and your medical history, and they will examine the affected area. Diagnostic tests, for example an X-ray or MRI, could be performed to help establish the cause of your symptoms.
After a diagnosis has been made, your Orthopaedic Consultant will work with a multi-disciplinary team of specialists, including Anaesthetists and Physiotherapists, to build a treatment programme tailored to your individual diagnosis. This could include pain relief medication, physiotherapy sessions to encourage movement and strength, or a course of steroid injections to reduce swelling and stiffness in your joint.
Although our specialists are trained surgeons, we will always try and use non-invasive treatments first. If your symptoms do not improve with this treatment, surgery will be considered.
As well as making the above changes, you will need to have a pre-operative assessment with one of our team. This will consist of a health check, where a Nurse will check things such as your weight, height and blood pressure. They may also take a sample of your blood or urine and perform a swab to test for MRSA (a type of bacteria).
At your pre-operative assessment, you will also be asked about your current medication and if you have any questions about your operation.
Depending on your personal circumstances, this pre-operative assessment may be done over the phone rather than at the hospital. If this is the case, we might ask you to pop in quickly for any tests we need to do, or we might do the tests when you come in for your procedure.
Your surgical treatment could involve:
If you require an arthroscopy, your Orthopaedic Surgeon will perform a few small incisions in your hip. A thin telescope with a camera (arthroscope) is inserted into one of these incisions and passed into a space between the ball of your hip joint (femoral head) and the socket (acetabulum). This allows your surgeon to see the inside of your joint.
Once they have identified the problems causing your hip pain, your surgeon will – if possible – perform treatment to fix the issue. Procedures that can be done minimally invasively include:
An arthroscopy normally takes between 30 minutes and two hours to complete.
During a hip resurfacing operation, your Orthopaedic Surgeon will trim any damaged cartilage from around the hip joint. The damaged surfaces of the ball at the top of your femur (femoral head) and socket (acetabulum) are then replaced with a protective cover, which is normally made of metal.
There are two main types of hip replacement operation: a partial hip replacement, also known as hemiarthroplasty, and a total hip replacement operation, which is also called an arthroplasty.
In total hip replacement surgery, your Orthopaedic Surgeon will first make an incision on the side of your hip. Then, your femoral head (the ball at the top of your femur) is completely removed and your acetabulum (socket) is hollowed out to allow an artificial socket to be fitted.
A metal stem with a ball attached to its upper end is then fitted into the hollow of your femur (thigh bone). This connects with your socket to form your new joint.
During partial hip replacement surgery, only your femoral head (the ball at the top of your femur) is removed. This is replaced with a metal stem and ball. These artificial parts are known as prosthesis and are secured in place using either bone cement (a synthetic substance) or special coatings that allow your prosthesis to fuse to your bone.
A hip replacement operation – whether total or partial - could take up to two hours.
Your consultant hip surgeon will give you personalised information so that you know what to expect on the day of your surgery.
Before you go home, you might be given crutches to help you walk, as well as pain relief medication to relieve any post-operative pain.
Which operation you have will affect your recovery time as well as factors such as how many nights you need to stay in the hospital, how soon you can walk without help, when you can drive again, and when you can go back to work.
After your hip resurfacing treatment, you will probably need to stay at our hospital in Harrogate for around three days. Although some people might not require crutches, others will need them to help with walking or climbing stairs for up to six weeks following a hip resurfacing operation.
You should be able to do most of your normal activities again after six weeks. Your return to work will depend on your profession, so you should speak to your Consultant about what’s best for you. Your Orthopaedic Surgeon will also advise that you avoid driving for at least six weeks.
If you have a hip arthroscopy, your Orthopaedic Surgeon at The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate could discharge you from our hospital as soon as the next day. During the first few weeks of your recovery, you might need to use crutches to assist with walking. As your operated hip becomes more comfortable, you can gradually return to your normal activities.
After one to two weeks, you should be able to drive again.
After hip replacement surgery, you will need to remain at our hospital in Harrogate for up to three days. You should be able to walk with the support of a walking aid within the first two days after your hip replacement operation.
At two to six weeks, you can begin doing gentle exercise. You should also be able to return to work around six weeks following your hip replacement surgery. Your return to work will depend on your profession and could take closer to 12 weeks if you have an active job.
Whatever hip surgery you undergo, if you are a driver, you will be advised to avoid driving for a while. Your surgeon will advise you on what’s right for you. Be sure to speak to your car insurance company too as they may have different guidelines that could affect your cover during recovery.
Most people begin walking with support—such as crutches or a walker—within a day of hip surgery, but walking more normally usually takes several weeks. By around three to six weeks, many patients can walk with much less assistance and start regaining a more natural gait as pain decreases and strength improves.
Full, confident walking without noticeable limping often develops between six and twelve weeks, depending on factors such as age, fitness, the type of hip surgery, and how consistently rehabilitation exercises are followed. While recovery varies from person to person, most individuals see steady progress each week as mobility and stability return.
You will usually have to wear compression stockings for about 4-6 weeks after hip surgery, though some people will need to wear them for a shorter or longer time. Your care team will give you specific instructions about this. Compression stockings are worn to promote blood flow and prevent blood clots in your legs.
As with any treatment, there are possible risks that can occur following your operation. These include:
Alternatively, a hip arthroscopy at The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate can cost between £6,914 to £8,022.
It is important to note that these prices are only for reference purposes. The final cost of your treatment will always be confirmed in writing.
You can pay for your treatment at The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate through your private medicate insurance or by using our flexible payment plans.
For Fiona Barr, a former senior NHS leader and lifelong horse rider, life was once defined by movement, energy, and a deep connection with her horses. But when chronic hip pain began to take hold, her world started to shrink. The simple joys of riding, walking, and even sleeping became daily struggles. “It was like a life sentence,” Fiona recalls. “I couldn’t do the things I loved. I was constantly in pain, and it affected everything, including my mood, my sleep, my confidence.”
Fiona’s story is one of resilience, research, and recovery. It’s also a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of personalised care and expert surgical intervention at The Duchy Hospital.Now 56, Fiona is pursuing her British Horse Society exams and has passed her British Horse Society Stage 3 Riding assessment. She is also enjoying a new career that keeps her active and outdoors. “I couldn’t have done any of this without the surgery,” she says. “I’m walking tall again—literally and figuratively.”
She’s also rediscovered her strength and resilience. “I’ve learned to look after my body better. You only get one, so nourish it, strengthen it, and let it have fun.”
Her advice to others facing joint replacement is simple and heartfelt:
• Do it. Don’t wait until the pain takes over your life.
• Prepare well. Go into surgery as fit and strong as you can.
• Follow the advice. Trust the experts and stick to the plan.
• Surround yourself with support. The first few days are tough - don’t do it alone.
A message to her healthcare team:
“To Mr. White, Liam, Gareth, Michelle, and Deborah—thank you,” Fiona says. “You didn’t just fix my hip. You gave me my life back.”
Her story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when expert care meets patient determination. It’s also a celebration of movement, partnership, and the quiet joy of doing what you love, pain-free.
When you go private with us, you can expect:
Start your hip treatment at The Duchy Hospital by phoning one of our friendly advisors on 01423567136 or booking your appointment online.
Reception: 01423 567136
Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm
(Alternate Sat: 8am-1pm)
34 spaces
