Hip Replacement Surgery Ireland
Primary, complex and revision hip replacement performed by Mr Mihai Vioreanu, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic and the Mater Private Hospital, Dublin.
Hip replacement surgery in Ireland
Hip replacement, or total hip arthroplasty, is an operation to replace the worn surfaces of a damaged hip joint with an artificial implant. It is one of the most established and reliable procedures in orthopaedic surgery, and it is most commonly performed for hip osteoarthritis.
The usual reason to consider surgery is pain that has begun to limit everyday life — sleep, walking, work, putting on shoes and socks. Mr Vioreanu’s view is that the right time to operate is when the pain is genuinely affecting your quality of life and you want it addressed. It is a personal decision, and patients are encouraged to take the time to think it through.
This site sets out what the operation involves, the risks, what recovery looks like week by week, what it costs in Ireland, and how to arrange a consultation.
Hip procedures performed by Mr Vioreanu
From first-time replacement through to complex revision surgery for a hip replacement that has failed.
Total Hip Replacement
Replacement of the worn ball and socket with an implant. The standard operation for advanced hip arthritis.
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Revision Hip Replacement
Redoing one or both components of a replacement that has loosened, worn out, become infected or dislocated.
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Complex Primary Replacement
First-time replacement where hip dysplasia, deformity or previous surgery means a standard implant will not fit.
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Fracture Around an Implant
Periprosthetic fracture of the femur or pelvis around an existing hip replacement, and how it is treated.
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Dislocation After Replacement
Why some replacements dislocate, the precautions that reduce the risk, and the options if it recurs.
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Failed Hip Replacement
New pain, a changed limp or a hip that gives way. What to look for and when to have it reviewed.
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Mr Mihai Vioreanu
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon · Hip & Knee
Mr Vioreanu is an Irish-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with international expertise in hip and knee surgery obtained in Canada and Australia. He graduated with honours from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy ‘Victor Babeș’ in Timișoara and completed his specialty training in orthopaedic surgery at RCSI in Dublin.
He then sub-specialised in primary, complex and revision hip and knee replacement at the arthroplasty centre at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, training under Prof Clive Duncan, Prof Bas Masri, Dr Nelson Greidanus and Prof Don Garbuz. He spent a further year in Sydney performing sports knee surgery with Prof Justin Roe and Prof Leo Pinczewski.
Mr Vioreanu joined Sports Surgery Clinic and the Mater Private Hospital in 2014. He was the first Orthopaedic Lecturer at RCSI, where he designed and delivered the musculoskeletal programme for medical students, and he remains actively involved in clinical research and international teaching.
Training and credentials
- 2019Editorial Board Member & Reviewer, KSSTA JournalKnee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
- 2018Recognised ESSKA TeacherEuropean Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy
- 2017ISAKOS Knee Arthroplasty Committee MemberInternational Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
- 2014Sports Knee FellowshipNorth Sydney Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Centre, Australia
- 2013Adult Reconstructive FellowshipUniversity of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- 2012FRCSI (Tr&Orth)Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland — Higher Surgical Training
- 2012Professional Certificate in Healthcare Management PracticeMichael Smurfit Graduate Business School, UCD
- 2010Master in Surgery (MCh)University College Dublin
- 2007Postgraduate Diploma, Applied BiomechanicsStrathclyde University, Glasgow
- 2005MRCSIMember of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland — Basic Surgical Training
- 1999Medical Doctor (Hons), MDUniversity of Medicine and Pharmacy ‘Victor Babeș’, Timișoara
International fellowships
- 2017ESSKA European Osteotomy Travelling FellowshipMunich, Mill, Lyon and London — joint-preserving surgery centres
- 2014ESSKA–APKASS Asia-Pacific Travelling FellowshipHong Kong, Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney
- 2014Best Poster AwardAPKASS Congress, Nara, Japan
- 2013OMEGA Fellowship GrantVancouver, Canada
- 2012Irish Institute of Orthopaedic Surgery Educational Grantand Irish Orthopaedic Association Educational Grant
- 2010DePuy Travelling FellowshipBordeaux, France
- 2009RCSI Ethicon Foundation Travel GrantRizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
Selected hip publications
Mr Vioreanu has published clinical studies, book chapters and surgical techniques, and sits on the editorial board of the KSSTA Journal. He is a scientific reviewer for the Journal of ISAKOS, International Orthopaedics and the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
- Field testing of the Unified Classification System for the peri-prosthetic fractures of the pelvis and femur around a total hip replacement: an international collaboration. Vioreanu MH, Parry MC, Haddad FS, Duncan CP. Bone Joint J. 2014;96-B(11):1472–7.
- An acetabular liner with focal constraint for prevention of dislocation after THA: evaluation of 82 consecutive cases. Munro JT, Vioreanu MH, Duncan CP, Masri BA. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2013.
- Book chapter: Fracture of the Pelvis Associated with Total Hip Arthroplasty. Munro JT, Vioreanu M, Masri B, Duncan C, Garbuz D. In: The Hip — Preservation, Replacement, Revision.
- Clostridium perfringens infection complicating periprosthetic fracture fixation about the hip: successful treatment with early aggressive debridement. Baker JF, Vioreanu MH, Harty JA. Hip Int. 2012.
- Smith-Petersen Vitallium mould arthroplasty — a 62-year follow-up. Baker J, Vioreanu M, Khan H. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2011;93(9):1285–6.
- Intra-operative imaging technique to aid safe placement of screws in percutaneous fixation of pelvic and acetabular fractures. Vioreanu M, Mulhall KJ. Acta Orthopaedica Belgica. 2011;77(3).
Professional affiliations
- Medical Council of Ireland
- RCSI
- ISAKOS
- ESSKA
- AAOS
- AO Foundation
- Irish Orthopaedic Association
- Irish Institute of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Magellan Society
- UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic
Registered with the Medical Council of Ireland — registration number 55588.
Your surgical journey, step by step
Plain-English guides covering everything from your first consultation through to returning to work and sport.
Your first consultation
What happens, what to bring, and the referral letter you need.
Do I need surgery?
How the decision is reached, and what to try before surgery.
Risks & complications
Infection, dislocation, fracture and clots, explained honestly.
Before surgery
Pre-operative tests, skin preparation, medications and dental checks.
During your hospital stay
Admission, anaesthetic, the first walk and going home.
After surgery
Swelling, bruising, crutches and returning to work.
Enhanced recovery programme
Early mobilisation with good pain control, and why it works.
Hip precautions
The positions to avoid in the first six weeks, and why.
Patient guides & forms
Downloadable registration forms, questionnaires and the patient handbook.
Recovery at a glance
These are typical timeframes and vary from patient to patient. Research indicates around 90% of conventional hip replacements are still functioning at ten years, and most patients have no complications. All replacements are artificial joints and can eventually fail. See the full recovery timeline.
Cost and health insurance
Most private hip replacements in Ireland are funded through health insurance. What you pay yourself depends on your policy, your excess and whether your plan covers UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic.
The consultation fee is confirmed when you book. Sarah or Orla will tell you the exact figure and what your insurer is likely to cover before you commit to anything. Payment is due at the time of the consultation.
Health insurers
- VHI
- Laya Healthcare
- Irish Life Health
- ESB Medical Provident
- St Paul’s Garda Medical Aid
Not insured? There is a self-pay pathway, and in some circumstances the HSE Treatment Abroad Scheme or the EU Cross-Border Directive may apply.
Who you’ll speak to
Appointments, fees and insurance queries are handled directly by Mr Vioreanu’s team at the rooms in Santry.
Sarah Cullen
Executive Assistant
Appointments, patient forms and surgery dates
The rooms
UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic
Suite 16, Santry Demesne, Dublin 9
Tel (01) 526 2340 · Fax (01) 526 2341
Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:00
Request an appointment
Complete the form and Mr Vioreanu’s team will contact you with appointment options, the consultation fee and what to bring. You can also phone the rooms directly on (01) 526 2340.
What to bring
- Referral letter from your GP, physiotherapist or another healthcare practitioner
- Your private health insurance details
- CDs or films of recent X-rays, MRI or CT scans
- Reports and copies of previous imaging and letters
Completing the patient registration form in advance saves time at your appointment. Download the forms.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a GP referral?
Yes. Bring a referral letter from your GP, family doctor, physiotherapist or another healthcare practitioner to your first appointment. You do not need a new letter for follow-up appointments after surgery.
What does the consultation cost?
The fee is confirmed when you book, and payment is due at the time of the consultation. Sarah or Orla will tell you the figure in advance, along with what your insurer is likely to cover.
How long will I be in hospital?
Usually two to four days. You are discharged once you can mobilise safely and manage yourself, and you will leave with painkillers, blood-thinning medication and an exercise guide.
How long is the recovery?
Most patients are off crutches within two to three weeks, though some need up to six. Office and other sedentary work is usually manageable at four to six weeks. Bruising settles within one to two weeks, and leg swelling can take four to six months to resolve fully.
How long will the new hip last?
Research indicates around 90% of conventional hip replacements are still functioning at ten years, and many last fifteen years or longer. All replacements are artificial joints and can eventually fail, which is why revision surgery exists.
What are the main risks?
Infection within the joint (under 2%), dislocation — most likely in the first six weeks, fracture around the implant, and blood clots. Ceramic bearings occasionally squeak. Mr Vioreanu will go through all of these with you in detail before you decide.
Where does the surgery take place?
At UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic in Santry Demesne, Dublin 9, where the consulting rooms are based. Mr Vioreanu also operates at the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin.
I already have a hip replacement and it is painful. Can Mr Vioreanu help?
Yes. Persistent pain, a changed limp, repeated dislocation or a hip that feels unstable all warrant review. His sub-specialty fellowship training in Vancouver was in complex and revision hip replacement.
