London Cartilage Clinic IconLondon Cartilage Clinic66 Harley Street
Surgeon discussing joint replacement options with a patient

Hip replacement cost in the UK

Private hip replacement at London Cartilage Clinic, including the surgical fee, consultant anaesthetist, theatre, the implant and post-operative follow-up. All variants (SPAIRE, BIKINI and hip resurfacing) at the same price. Performed by Professor Paul Lee at our partner hospital on Weymouth Street.
  • SPAIRE Hip reference centre
  • BIKINI Hip international centre of excellence
  • 173+ verified patient reviews
Free 15-minute discovery callSee the price
SPAIRE Hip reference centreBIKINI Hip international centre of excellence173+ verified patient reviews

At a glance

How much does hip replacement cost in the UK?

Hip replacement cost at LCC is £18,500, with the same private hip replacement cost whether the operation is delivered as SPAIRE muscle-sparing posterior, BIKINI anterior, or hip resurfacing. The figure is inclusive of theatre, the implant, the consultant anaesthetist and post-operative follow-up. Hip replacement surgery elsewhere in the UK typically ranges from £14,000 to £20,000, with significant variation in what each price actually includes.

Inclusive price

£18,500

Same price for SPAIRE, BIKINI and hip resurfacing.

Last reviewed April 2026. Price in £ GBP, including all clinic, theatre and surgical fees, plus the consultant anaesthetist and the implant.
See what is included·Funding and insurance·Read the FAQs

Hip replacement cost in the UK explained

Hip replacement is a major orthopaedic operation. A typical case takes ninety to one hundred and twenty minutes of theatre time, plus pre-operative planning, the implant itself, single-use surgical disposables, and the consumables for fixation. The £18,500 figure covers all of that, plus the consultant anaesthetist, two post-operative consultations and the six-month review.

At LCC hip replacement surgery is performed by Professor Paul Lee using one of three approaches: the SPAIRE muscle-sparing posterior approach, the BIKINI anterior approach, or hip resurfacing where the patient is suitable. Each approach has its place; the choice is a clinical decision made at consultation, not a price decision. Whichever approach is right for you, the private hip replacement cost is the same £18,500, so the figure you see published is the figure you pay.

What is included in the price

Included in the price

  • Pre-operative consultation with Professor Lee (60 minutes)
  • Pre-admission anaesthetic review
  • Theatre fee, surgical disposables and anaesthetic agents
  • The implant
  • Operating surgeon’s fee
  • Consultant anaesthetist’s fee
  • Cryotherapy and on-the-day medications
  • Bracing and walking aid where required
  • Two post-operative consultations (typically week 2 and week 6)
  • Six-month post-operative review
  • Direct line to the surgical team for post-operative concerns

Not included, quoted separately

  • MRI imaging at £450 where not already available
  • Pre-operative bloods if not already available
  • Onward physiotherapy, quoted separately by your physiotherapist
  • Travel and accommodation for international patients

Why hip replacement at LCC

  • Three approaches, chosen on clinical grounds

    SPAIRE muscle-sparing posterior, BIKINI anterior, or hip resurfacing. Many private clinics offer one approach; we offer three and choose the one that fits your anatomy and activity goals. The price is the same whichever is right for you.

  • SPAIRE Hip reference centre

    LCC is a SPAIRE Hip reference centre. The SPAIRE approach preserves more of the posterior soft-tissue envelope than a conventional posterior approach, which typically translates to a faster early recovery.

  • BIKINI Hip international centre of excellence

    For patients suited to anterior-approach hip replacement, LCC is recognised as an international BIKINI centre of excellence. The BIKINI incision sits along skin lines for a more discreet scar.

  • The surgeon you see is the surgeon who operates

    Pre-operative consultation, surgery and post-operative reviews are with Professor Lee. There is no transfer to a registrar or to another consultant.
Read about Professor LeeHow hip replacement works

Your hip replacement journey

  1. 1

    Discovery call (free, 15 minutes)

    A clinical coordinator confirms whether replacement looks like the right conversation, books the consultation if so, and answers cost questions.
  2. 2

    Consultation with Professor Lee (£350, 60 minutes)

    Imaging review, examination, and a treatment plan in writing. We confirm the right surgical approach and whether joint preservation alternatives are still realistic.
  3. 3

    Pre-operative preparation

    Bloods, anaesthetic review and consent process. Typically two to four weeks before surgery.
  4. 4

    Day of surgery

    Admission at our partner hospital on Weymouth Street, central London. Surgery takes ninety to one hundred and twenty minutes. Most patients stay overnight.
  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Walking aids and protected weight-bearing per surgical instruction. Direct line to the surgical team for any concerns during this period.
  6. 6

    Weeks 2 to 12

    Physiotherapy with your chosen physiotherapist, progressive return to function. Two follow-up consultations included with us.
  7. 7

    Six-month review

    Outcome assessment with the operating surgeon and discharge planning.

Funding, insurance and payment

Self-pay

£18,500 settled by bank transfer or card before surgery. Same figure for SPAIRE, BIKINI and hip resurfacing.

We can discuss finance options on request rather than promoting a specific finance partner.

Private medical insurance

London Cartilage Clinic is a private-pay practice and does not work with UK insurance panels. The published price is the price you pay; there are no shortfall surprises after surgery.

If you are insured and would still like to be treated here, we can provide an itemised invoice for you to submit for reimbursement.

International patients

Many of our hip replacement patients travel from outside the UK. We can coordinate consultation, imaging, surgery and follow-up into a focused visit; travel and accommodation are arranged separately.

Outcomes after hip replacement surgery

Most hip replacement patients are walking with a stick or no aid by week six and return to most recreational activity by three to six months after hip replacement surgery. SPAIRE and BIKINI patients tend to recover early function faster than conventional posterior-approach patients because more of the surrounding soft-tissue envelope is preserved.

Long-term outcome on a well-implanted hip replacement is twenty-plus years before any revision conversation. We measure progress at each follow-up rather than relying on time alone.

Patient stories

I was nervous about hip replacement after seeing how slowly some friends recovered. The SPAIRE approach was honestly transformative; I was walking unaided much sooner than I expected.
Verified patient, Doctify

Frequently asked questions

How much does hip replacement cost in the UK?

Hip replacement at LCC is £18,500 all-inclusive (theatre, implant, consultant anaesthetist, two follow-up appointments and the six-month review). Same figure for SPAIRE, BIKINI and hip resurfacing.

What is the difference between SPAIRE, BIKINI and hip resurfacing?

SPAIRE is a muscle-sparing posterior approach; BIKINI is an anterior approach with the incision along the natural skin lines; hip resurfacing preserves more of the femoral head and neck and is suitable for a smaller subset of patients. Each has its place. The choice is made on clinical grounds at consultation, not on price.

Can I claim hip replacement on private medical insurance?

LCC is a private-pay practice and does not contract with UK PMI panels. If you have insurance and prefer to be treated here, we can provide an itemised invoice for you to submit for reimbursement, but you settle the bill with us directly.

Does the price include the anaesthetist and the implant?

Yes. The £18,500 figure includes the consultant anaesthetist’s fee and the implant. Some private clinics quote the surgical fee alone and add the implant or the anaesthetist separately; we do not.

What happens if there is a complication after hip replacement surgery?

The two routine post-operative consultations and the six-month review are included. If a complication needs additional clinical contact within twelve months, the post-operative team is available without further charge for assessment. Where additional intervention is required, the case is reviewed transparently with you.

How long is recovery, and is physiotherapy included?

Most patients are walking with a stick or no aid by week six and return to most recreational activity by three to six months. Physiotherapy is not included; we share the post-operative programme with your physiotherapist in the first week.

How does hip replacement at LCC compare to joint preservation alternatives?

Replacement removes and replaces the joint surface. Joint preservation (cartilage regeneration, regenerative injections) preserves and rebuilds the joint surface where possible. Replacement is the right answer for end-stage arthritis where the cartilage cannot be saved; preservation is the right answer earlier. We will tell you, at consultation, which conversation is the right one.

Why is hip replacement at LCC priced where it is?

The £18,500 figure reflects theatre time for hip replacement surgery, the implant, the consultant anaesthetist, the surgeon’s time on the day, and a six-month follow-up programme. We publish the private hip replacement cost transparently so you can compare like-for-like.

Is the surgeon I see at consultation the same one who will operate?

Yes. Professor Paul Lee is your consulting surgeon, your operating surgeon, and your reviewing surgeon throughout follow-up.

Where will the surgery happen?

The consultation is at 66 Harley Street. The surgery itself is performed at our partner private hospital on Weymouth Street, central London.

Can I be treated here from outside the UK?

Yes. A meaningful share of our work is international. We coordinate consultation, imaging, surgery and follow-up into a focused visit. Travel and accommodation are arranged separately by you.

Ready to talk

Two paths from here

For when you want to talk first, the discovery call costs nothing. For when you have decided you want to be assessed, book a consultation with the operating surgeon. Either way you can learn how the procedure works on the hip replacement page.

Free 15-minute discovery callBook a consultation, £350
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