A private hip replacement in the UK typically costs around £13,000 to £19,000 or more, depending on the hospital, surgeon, implant and where you live.
Some providers advertise lower starting prices around £12,750, while premium hospitals and more expensive implant options can push the total towards £18,000–£19,000 or beyond.
The most important thing is not simply the headline operation price.
You need to know whether the quote includes:
- the surgeon;
- anaesthetist;
- hip implant;
- hospital stay;
- pre-operative assessment;
- medicines;
- physiotherapy;
- follow-up appointments;
- treatment if your stay is longer than expected.
A £13,000 fixed-price package can therefore be better value than a £12,500 “from” price that excludes consultation, scans and follow-up.
This guide explains current private hip replacement costs in the UK, what package prices usually include, what can cost extra and when paying privately may be worth considering.
How Much Does a Private Hip Replacement Cost in the UK?
A realistic 2026 self-pay guide is:
| Hip replacement cost | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Initial orthopaedic consultation | About £150–£300 |
| Standard primary hip replacement | About £13,000–£19,000+ |
| Lower-cost fixed-price providers | About £12,750–£13,500 |
| Higher-cost private hospitals | About £15,000–£19,000+ |
| Hip revision surgery | Often £20,000–£30,000+ |
| Private physiotherapy if separate | About £50–£100+ per session |
Published prices illustrate the difference.
Practice Plus Group currently charges £13,199 for hip replacement surgery, with an initial consultation charged separately. Its package includes pre-operative assessment, hospital stay, prescriptions, equipment, follow-up and physiotherapy.
Its October 2026 comparison also lists:
- Spire Bristol at around £15,246;
- Circle Bath at around £15,596;
- Nuffield Taunton at around £15,500.
Other hospitals within the same groups can cost more or less.
Nationally, published hospital-group prices can extend towards £19,000 depending on location and the specific hospital.
If you have not yet seen a specialist, our guide to private orthopaedic consultation costs explains the earlier assessment and scan fees.
What Does a Private Hip Replacement Price Usually Include?
A fixed-price package may include most of the major costs surrounding the operation.
Surgeon's fee
This pays the consultant orthopaedic surgeon performing the replacement.
Some hospitals include it automatically in the package, while others quote hospital and consultant charges separately.
Anaesthetist
Hip replacement is generally performed under spinal anaesthesia, general anaesthesia or a combination depending on the patient and surgical team.
The anaesthetist's fee should ideally be included in the written quote.
Hip implant
The artificial joint itself can be a significant part of the cost.
A total hip replacement usually uses:
- a metal stem;
- a replacement femoral head;
- an artificial socket;
- plastic, ceramic or metal bearing surfaces depending on the system.
The implant should be included within a normal fixed-price replacement package.
Hospital stay
Most patients stay around one to three days after uncomplicated surgery.
Some suitable patients may be discharged sooner through enhanced-recovery programmes.
Make sure the quote says what happens if you unexpectedly need an additional night.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy begins shortly after surgery.
Hospital physiotherapists normally help you stand and walk using crutches or a frame.
Some private packages also include outpatient rehabilitation after discharge.
Practice Plus Group specifically includes follow-up physiotherapy in its £13,199 package.
What Costs Can Be Extra?
Not every hospital packages treatment in the same way.
Possible additional charges include:
- initial consultant appointment;
- X-rays;
- MRI if the diagnosis is unclear;
- blood tests;
- extra hospital nights;
- additional physiotherapy;
- walking aids;
- treatment for unrelated medical problems;
- some complications after discharge.
Practice Plus Group, for example, currently charges around £145 separately for the initial consultation even though much of the later treatment is included within its fixed surgical price.
Other providers may include the consultation but exclude diagnostic imaging.
The safest approach is to ask:
“What is the maximum likely total cost from my first appointment through to completion of routine follow-up?”
Do not compare packages only by the large number printed beside “hip replacement”.
Total Hip Replacement vs Partial Hip Replacement
Most elective replacements for osteoarthritis are total hip replacements.
This means both main damaged surfaces are replaced:
- the ball at the top of the femur;
- the socket in the pelvis.
A partial hip replacement, or hemiarthroplasty, replaces the femoral side but not the socket.
Partial replacement is more commonly used for certain hip fractures, particularly in older people, rather than routine elective osteoarthritis.
It is therefore not usually a cheaper private alternative that somebody with arthritis can simply choose.
The operation is selected according to the condition being treated.
Our complete guide to hip replacement surgery explains the procedure itself in more detail.
Does the Implant Type Change the Price?
It can.
Hip replacements can differ according to:
- cemented or uncemented fixation;
- bearing material;
- head size;
- implant manufacturer;
- special requirements relating to bone quality or anatomy.
Published private prices show that implant choice alone can alter the cost by more than £1,000 at some hospitals.
However, the most expensive implant is not automatically the best.
The choice depends on factors such as:
- age;
- bone quality;
- activity level;
- anatomy;
- surgeon's experience with the implant.
A good question is:
“Why are you recommending this particular implant for me?”
That is more useful than asking for the newest or most expensive implant available.
What About Robotic Hip Replacement?
Some private hospitals offer robotic-assisted hip replacement.
The technology helps the surgeon plan implant positioning and can assist with bone preparation or alignment.
Robotic surgery does not mean a robot performs the operation independently.
The surgeon remains responsible for the procedure.
Robotic-assisted surgery may cost more because it can require:
- specialised equipment;
- pre-operative imaging;
- additional planning;
- specific implant systems.
Whether the additional cost produces a meaningful improvement for an individual patient is less straightforward.
Do not assume “robotic” automatically means safer, less painful or longer lasting.
Ask the surgeon what measurable benefit the technology is expected to provide in your particular case.
Who Usually Needs a Hip Replacement?
Hip replacement is most commonly performed for severe osteoarthritis.
The NHS says surgery may be considered when hip pain and stiffness significantly affect daily life and other treatments or lifestyle changes have not provided enough relief.
Symptoms that may eventually lead to surgery include:
- persistent groin or hip pain;
- pain when walking;
- difficulty putting on socks or shoes;
- reduced hip movement;
- night pain;
- difficulty using stairs;
- reduced independence.
Hip replacement may also be used for:
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- avascular necrosis;
- some fractures;
- other severe joint damage.
Not every painful hip needs surgery.
Physiotherapy, weight management, pain relief, activity modification and sometimes injections may help depending on the cause and severity.
Our guide to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis explains some of the common underlying conditions.
How Much Does Rehabilitation Add to the Cost?
If rehabilitation is included in your surgical package, the additional cost may be limited.
If you need to arrange physiotherapy separately, private appointments commonly cost around £50–£100 or more each.
Someone having six additional sessions could therefore spend another £300–£600.
Most people are encouraged to stand and begin walking soon after surgery.
The NHS says nurses and physiotherapists normally help patients start walking as soon as possible, initially using crutches or a walking frame.
Rehabilitation focuses on:
- safe walking;
- hip strength;
- balance;
- stairs;
- gradual return to ordinary activities.
If your package does not include enough rehabilitation, see our guide to private physiotherapy costs in the UK.
How Long Is Recovery After Hip Replacement?
Recovery is gradual rather than immediate.
The NHS says many otherwise fit patients can go home around one to three days after surgery if the wound is healing well and they can move around safely.
Early recovery usually involves:
- walking aids;
- pain relief;
- wound care;
- daily exercises;
- gradually increasing activity.
Many people become substantially more mobile during the first six weeks.
But complete recovery can take several months.
The NHS notes that recovery time varies with age, general health and individual progress.
Returning to driving, work and exercise should be based on your surgeon's advice rather than a fixed date.
Private Hip Replacement vs NHS Surgery
A clinically appropriate hip replacement is available through the NHS without paying for the operation.
The main reason people consider private surgery is usually waiting time.
Trauma and orthopaedics remains one of the largest NHS elective waiting lists in England.
Recent 2026 data showed more than 840,000 trauma and orthopaedic pathways waiting for treatment, with tens of thousands waiting more than a year.
Actual hip-replacement waiting times vary enormously between hospitals.
Private treatment can often move much faster.
Private consultations may be available within days or a couple of weeks, with surgery often possible within a few weeks afterwards.
But before spending £15,000 or more, check your local NHS options.
In England, you may have the right to choose another provider with a shorter waiting list.
Some private hospitals also perform NHS-funded hip replacements.
Paying privately therefore makes most sense when:
- your NHS wait is unacceptably long;
- pain is severely affecting daily life;
- you want a particular surgeon;
- you want greater control over the operation date;
- you value a particular hospital or implant choice.
How Does Hip Replacement Cost Compare With Knee Replacement?
The two operations are similarly priced.
Practice Plus Group currently charges £13,199 for hip replacement and £13,799 for knee replacement.
Other large providers also tend to price them in a similar range.
Our guide to private knee replacement costs in the UK gives a direct comparison.
If you are trying to understand private orthopaedic treatment more broadly, see private orthopaedic surgery costs for hip, knee and shoulder procedures.
How to Compare Private Hip Replacement Quotes
Ask every provider for a written quote after the surgeon has assessed you.
Check whether it includes:
- initial consultation;
- X-ray or MRI;
- pre-operative blood tests;
- surgeon's fee;
- anaesthetist's fee;
- hip implant;
- theatre costs;
- hospital accommodation;
- medicines;
- walking aids;
- physiotherapy;
- follow-up appointments;
- treatment if you need an extra hospital night;
- treatment for complications.
Also ask whether the price is genuinely fixed.
“From £12,750” is useful advertising information, but it is not necessarily the amount you will pay.
Your final quote can change according to the surgeon, hospital, implant and complexity of your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a private hip replacement in the UK?
A primary private hip replacement commonly costs around £13,000–£19,000 or more. Some providers advertise starting prices around £12,750.
What is the average private hip replacement cost?
Current UK estimates place a typical average around £14,000–£15,000, although prices vary widely between hospitals and regions.
How much is a hip replacement at Practice Plus Group?
The current published price is £13,199 for the replacement itself, with the initial consultation charged separately.
Does private hip replacement include the implant?
Normally yes. A standard fixed-price package should include the artificial hip components, but always confirm this in writing.
Does the price include the surgeon and anaesthetist?
Many packages do, but not all quotes are structured identically. Check that both professional fees are explicitly included.
Does private hip replacement include physiotherapy?
Some fixed-price packages include routine post-operative physiotherapy. Other providers may include only hospital physiotherapy, leaving additional outpatient rehabilitation to be paid separately.
How long do you stay in hospital after hip replacement?
Many patients go home after around one to three days if recovery is uncomplicated and they can move around safely.
How long does hip replacement recovery take?
Meaningful improvement occurs over the first several weeks, but complete recovery can take several months.
How long does a hip replacement last?
The NHS says modern hip replacements can last at least 15 years, and many last substantially longer.
Is robotic hip replacement more expensive?
Often yes. Robotic-assisted systems can add planning and equipment costs, although the exact price varies between hospitals.
Is robotic hip replacement better?
Not automatically. It can assist planning and implant positioning, but the clinical importance depends on the individual case and surgeon. Ask what specific benefit is expected for you.
Can I get a private hip replacement without a GP referral?
Many self-pay providers allow you to arrange a private orthopaedic consultation directly, although requirements vary between hospitals.
Can private health insurance cover hip replacement?
Potentially, if the condition is eligible under your policy. Pre-existing conditions, excesses, hospital lists and authorisation rules can affect cover.
Can I get hip replacement free on the NHS?
Yes. If hip replacement is clinically appropriate, NHS treatment does not require you to pay for the operation.
How long is the NHS wait?
It varies substantially by trust. Some patients are treated within months, while others wait much longer. Check the specific provider rather than relying on a national average.
Is private hip replacement worth paying for?
It can be when severe pain is affecting mobility and independence and the local NHS wait is long. If NHS surgery is available within an acceptable period, paying £13,000–£19,000 privately may offer limited additional clinical benefit.
Should I choose the cheapest hospital?
Price matters, but it should not be the only factor. Compare surgeon experience, what the package includes, implant choice, infection outcomes, rehabilitation and how complications are handled.
