Frequently Asked Questions
Modern hip joint replacements are designed to last a very long time. Advances in materials and bearing surfaces mean hip replacements can now be performed in younger patients with good long-term durability. Registry data shows most implants remain in place for well over 20 years, provided no complications such as infection, fracture around the implant, or dislocation occur.
The direct anterior approach is a muscle-sparing technique for hip replacement, where the surgeon accesses the hip joint through a natural interval between muscles rather than cutting through them. It’s one of several surgical approaches Dr Stoita uses, selected based on individual anatomy and clinical suitability. Dr Stoita will discuss which approach is right for you at consultation.
Cost depends on your health fund, level of cover, hospital, and individual circumstances. Eligible patients may be able to access a no-gap pathway for primary joint replacement — see our Private Health Cover page for details, or book a consultation for a personalised estimate.
Cost depends on your health fund, level of cover, hospital, and individual circumstances. Eligible patients may be able to access a no-gap pathway for primary joint replacement — see our Private Health Cover page for details, or book a consultation for a personalised estimate.
DAIR (Debridement, Antibiotics and Implant Retention) is a procedure used to treat infection in a hip or knee replacement while preserving the original implant. It’s suitable when infection is caught early, typically within about 4 weeks of the original surgery, or within 3 weeks of symptoms starting in a previously well-functioning joint — provided the implant is stable and well-fixed, with no signs of loosening.
Piriformis syndrome is an uncommon cause of buttock and posterior thigh pain, caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. Surgical release of the piriformis and decompression of the sciatic nerve is reserved for the small group of patients with severe, disabling symptoms that have failed prolonged non-operative treatment, and in whom other causes of sciatic nerve pain have been excluded.
Hip resurfacing is an alternative to conventional total hip replacement in which the femoral head is reshaped and capped with a prosthesis rather than removed. The acetabulum is resurfaced with a separate cup that articulates with the femoral cap. Because the femoral head and neck are preserved, resurfacing maintains the natural biomechanics of the hip, conserves bone stock for any future revision, and can allow a remarkable return to high-impact activities in selected patients.
Traditional metal-on-metal hip resurfacing was introduced in the 1990s and gained widespread popularity in young, active patients because of its excellent functional results. However, concerns about metal ion release, adverse local tissue reactions (pseudotumours) and higher revision rates, particularly in women and patients with smaller femoral heads, led to a significant decline in its use.
ReCerf is a modern ceramic-on-ceramic hip resurfacing implant, developed specifically to address the limitations of metal-on-metal resurfacing while preserving the functional advantages of the resurfacing concept. It uses a fourth-generation alumina-matrix composite ceramic (BIOLOX® delta) for both the femoral cap and the acetabular cup, eliminating metal ions from the bearing surfaces.
ReCerf is one of the most significant advances in hip resurfacing and represents a true evolution of the procedure.
Typically 1-2 hours for a standard primary hip replacement, though total time in the operating room (including anaesthesia setup and positioning) often runs a bit longer than that. Patients are usually in theatre for around 2–3 hours in total. Robotic-assisted and complex revision cases can take longer due to additional imaging-based planning and precision steps during the procedure.
A significant cause of hip pain in women over 50 is greater trochanteric pain syndrome, often related to tears of the gluteus medius and minimus tendons, sometimes called the “rotator cuff of the hip.” These tendons are critical for hip stability during walking. When 6–12 months of physiotherapy, activity modification and injections don’t resolve symptoms, surgical repair can provide durable pain relief.
Please note, all surgical procedures carry risks. Please book an appointment with Dr Stoita to find out what the best treatment option is for you.
Robotic-assisted surgery is an important advancement in modern joint replacement. Combined with the concept of functional alignment, it allows the procedure to be tailored to each patient’s individual anatomy rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach. Dr Stoita routinely uses computerised and robotic surgical techniques for hip and knee replacement, and was NSW’s first surgeon to perform robotic total knee replacement using the NAVIO system’s 3D mapping technology.
For eligible patients, Dr Stoita offers a no-gap pathway for primary hip and knee joint replacement, and for select revision cases. Eligibility depends on your health fund, your level of cover, and the hospital where your surgery takes place.
Next Steps
1. Contact your health insurer to check your eligibility for hip/knee replacement, including level of coverage and waiting periods the hospital excess applicable to your health insurance.
2. Make an appointment with your GP to request a referral to Dr Razvan Stoita.
3. Book an appointment with Dr Razvan Stoita.
Please note:consultation fees are not included in the ‘No-Gap’ Joint Replacement Program.
Hip arthritis usually develops over time rather than from a single cause. The most common reason is gradual wear of the joint cartilage with age. However, many people develop it earlier due to subtle issues with the shape of the hip, when the ball and socket don’t fit perfectly, it creates uneven pressure that slowly damages the joint. Previous injuries, such as fractures or dislocations, can also speed up this process. In some cases, genetics, inflammation, or increased load on the joint (including higher body weight or repetitive stress) contribute.
In a total knee replacement, the entire knee joint surface is replaced – the ends of the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), and usually the underside of the kneecap are all resurfaced with artificial components. In a partial knee replacement (PKR), also called unicompartmental knee replacement, only the damaged compartment of the knee is replaced, leaving healthy bone, cartilage, and ligaments intact.
Diagnosis involves understanding a history of your symptoms, examining your knee, and using imaging such as X-rays to assess cartilage wear and joint alignment. In some cases, additional scans such as CT or MRI scans may be required to either exclude other conditions or quantify the degree of arthritis.Some patients develop patellofemoral pain syndrome in the absence of any bone, joint or soft tissue abnormalities. However, most patients with the syndrome present with one or more abnormalities related to bone anatomy, joint anatomy and/or soft tissue.
Although knee arthritis can affect anyone, there are several factors that can increase the risk of arthritis:
- Genetic predisposition
- Previous knee injury or surgery
- Other joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout
- Occupations involving heavy manual work
- Age (over 40)
- Female gender
- Being overweight or obese
- Participation in high impact activities or sports (e.g. running, soccer or rugby)
Knee arthritis typically develops as a result of progressive cartilage wear within the joint. This process may occur naturally with age or be accelerated by factors such as previous injury, altered joint alignment, or increased mechanical load.
In some cases, inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can also contribute to joint degeneration.
