Is it time for a total hip replacement?
When hip arthritis starts stealing your sleep, your walks and your independence, a total hip replacement can give them back. Mr Ashwin Unnithan is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in hip and knee surgery, offering total hip replacement – including young total hip replacement – to patients across Wimbledon and the wider South-West London and Surrey area. At your consultation, he reviews your imaging with you and talks through every option, including non-surgical measures, so that surgery is only ever the right next step, not the only one.
With over ten years’ experience and a high surgical volume, Mr Unnithan offers both conventional and robotic-assisted total hip replacement techniques, using implants with excellent long-term registry evidence. If surgery is right for you, the procedure is planned around your own anatomy, activity level and lifestyle, not a one-size-fits-all template.
Updated for 2026 to reflect the latest National Joint Registry implant survivorship data and current NICE guidance on osteoarthritis management.
You might recognise these signs
- Night pain that disturbs your sleep
- Stiffness or a limp that is getting worse
- Struggling with shoes, socks or getting in and out of the car
- Walking distance shrinking month by month
- Painkillers no longer working
If two or more of these sound familiar, it is worth having an honest conversation about whether a total hip replacement is right for you
What is a total hip replacement?
A total hip replacement (also called total hip arthroplasty) removes the worn, arthritic ball-and-socket joint and replaces it with a smooth, durable artificial implant. It is one of the most successful operations in modern medicine, reliably relieving pain and restoring mobility for patients whose hip arthritis has stopped responding to physiotherapy, weight management, activity modification or injections.
Current NICE guidance (NG226) on osteoarthritis recommends that referral for joint replacement be considered when non-surgical management is no longer effective and symptoms are substantially affecting quality of life, regardless of age. In line with this, Mr Unnithan’s clinical interests include total hip replacement for both older and younger, more active patients – recognising that a 45-year-old with hip arthritis has very different demands from a 75-year-old, and planning the implant choice, surgical approach and rehabilitation programme accordingly.
Why choose Mr Ashwin Unnithan for your hip replacement in Wimbledon?
- Senior, experienced surgeon
over ten years’ experience as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, with fellowship training at the renowned Bristol Hip Unit and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
- High-volume specialist
a busy practice managing straightforward and genuinely complex hip cases, including revision hip replacement.
- Robotic and minimally invasive options
precision-guided robotic hip replacement is available where suitable, alongside minimally invasive techniques aimed at faster, less painful recovery.
- Evidence-based implant choice
precision-guided robotic hip replacement is available where suitable, alongside minimally invasive techniques aimed at faster, less painful recovery.
- Considering robotic assistance?
Read our dedicated guide to robotic hip replacement to see whether it could suit your anatomy.
- Genuinely local for Wimbledon patients
with a base in Walton-on-Thames and appointments usually available within days, Mr Unnithan is easily accessible from Wimbledon, Kingston, Richmond and the surrounding South-West London and Surrey area.
- Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons
and a member of the British Orthopaedic Association and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
At a glance
Your treatment journey
Consultation & imaging
X-rays, a thorough examination and an honest discussion of all your options – surgical and non-surgical.
Planning
If we proceed, you’ll receive a personalised surgical plan, with 3D robotic planning where suitable for your anatomy.
Surgery & recovery
Most patients stay just 1–2 nights in hospital and are walking within a day, supported by an enhanced recovery programme designed to get you home sooner and more comfortably.
Rehab & follow-up
Structured physiotherapy and scheduled follow-up reviews track your progress until you’re back to the activities that matter to you.
- COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions about total hip replacement
What is a total hip replacement, in simple terms?
It is an operation that removes the damaged ball-and-socket surfaces of an arthritic hip and replaces them with smooth, durable artificial components, relieving pain and restoring movement.
How long does a total hip replacement last?
Modern hip implants, particularly those with strong long-term joint registry data, commonly last 15–20 years or longer, especially with the bearing surfaces used today. The National Joint Registry’s 2025 Annual Report confirms a continued year-on-year reduction in revision surgery, reflecting improving implant longevity nationally.
Is total hip replacement suitable for younger, active patients?
Yes. Mr Unnithan has a specific clinical interest in young total hip replacement, with implant selection and surgical planning tailored to a more active lifestyle and longer expected implant life.
How painful is recovery after hip replacement?
Pain is well controlled with modern anaesthetic and pain-management protocols. Most patients are mobilising with a frame or crutches within 24 hours and progress off walking aids over the following weeks.
When can I drive again after a hip replacement?
Most patients return to driving around six weeks after surgery, once muscle control and reaction times have recovered, and always confirmed at a follow-up review.
Is robotic hip replacement better than conventional surgery?
Robotic assistance allows for highly accurate implant positioning based on your own 3D anatomy. It is not right for every patient, but where suitable, it can support component accuracy and a smoother recovery. Mr Unnithan will advise honestly on whether it’s appropriate for you.
Do I need a GP referral to see Mr Unnithan?
No GP referral is required for an initial consultation, and appointments are usually available within days.
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