A partial hip replacement removes and replaces the ball (femoral head) of the hip joint. It does not replace the socket. This surgery is most often done to repair certain types of hip fractures.
The ceramic or metal ball is attached to a metal stem. This is called a hip implant. The stem is set down into the core of the thighbone (femur).
Current as of: May 1, 2026
Author: WebMD Ignite Staff
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