Artificial femur head

Artificial femur head, stainless steel, marked "DOWN T6 1 7/8" S" by Down Bros., 1960-1970

Tens of thousands of hip replacements are performed in the UK every year. This operation is most commonly carried out because the cartilage in the hip joint has worn away, causing inflammation and pain. The first modern total hip replacement surgery was carried out in the UK in 1962 by Sir John Charnley. In a hip replacement, the head of the femur is replaced with a prosthetic like this, while a corresponding cup is secured in the hip joint to replace the damaged cartilage there. The average life span of a hip replacement prosthesis is roughly 15 to 25 years.