Hip Replacement
About the Procedure | Why is it necessary? | Before the procedure | After the procedure (Recovery) | Risks | Outlook (Prognosis) | FAQ’s
About the Procedure
A hip replacement is a surgical procedure to replace your hip joint with an artificial version. It provides a long-term solution for worn or damaged hip joints caused by injury or disease, such as osteoarthritis, which can cause severe pain and loss of mobility
Why is it Performed?
Hip replacement is the most effective treatment for a hip joint that causes pain and cannot function properly. The most common reasons for surgery are:
- Osteoarthritis. This is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when connecting tissue between the joint is damaged, causing bones to rub together painfully.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. This is caused by the immune system attacking the lining of the joint, resulting in pain and stiffness.
- Septic arthritis. This form of arthritis occurs when the joint becomes infected.
- Fracture of the neck of the thigh bone (femur). This causes a loss of blood supply to the rounded head of the bone and may also lead to crumbling of the bone (avascular necrosis).
- Paget’s disease of bone. This affects bone growth and can make bones weak and deformed.
- Bone tumours.
- Other joint injuries.
Hip replacements are also sometimes needed in:
- Late cases of developmental dysplasia of the hip, a condition that prevents the ball and socket hip joint from developing properly. If left untreated, it can cause permanent deformity and walking problems.
- Hip joint fractures caused by osteoporosis, which causes the bones to become thin and weak. Certain cells within the bone are no longer able to break down old bone and replace it with strong, healthy bone.
Before the procedure
A couple of weeks before the operation, you will usually be asked to attend a pre-operative assessment clinic to meet your surgeon and other members of the surgical team. They will take your medical history, examine you and organise any tests needed, to make sure you are healthy enough for an anaesthetic and surgery.
They will give you advice on anything you can do to prepare for surgery and ask you about your home circumstances so your discharge from hospital can be planned. If you live alone, have a carer or feel you need extra support, tell the team so that help or support can be arranged before you go into hospital.
Take a list or the packaging of any medication you are taking. Some rheumatoid arthritis medications suppress the immune system, which can affect healing. For this reason you may be asked to stop taking them before surgery. Your surgeon can advise you about alternative medications.
After the procedure (Recovery)
The staff will help you to get up and walk about as quickly as possible after surgery. Some patients are able to get up and walk the same day they had surgery.
It is normal, initially, to experience discomfort while walking and exercising, and your legs and feet may be swollen. You may be given an injection into your abdomen to help prevent blood clots forming in your legs and a short course of antibiotics to help prevent infection.
A physiotherapist may teach you exercises to help strengthen the hip and explain what should and should not be done after the operation. They will teach you how to bend and sit to avoid damaging your new hip.
You will usually be in hospital for around three to five days. If you are generally fit and well, the surgeon may suggest an accelerated rehabilitation programme, where you start walking on the day of the operation and are discharged within one to three days.
Risks
Risks include:
- Loosening of the joint. The most common problem that can arise as a result of a hip replacement is loosening of the joint. This can be caused by the shaft of the prosthesis becoming loose in the hollow of the thigh bone, or due to thinning of the bone around the implant.Another operation (revision surgery) may be necessary, although this cannot be performed on all patients.
- Wear and tear Another common complication of hip replacement surgery is caused by the wear and tear of the artificial sockets. Particles that have worn off the artificial joint surfaces can be absorbed by surrounding tissue, causing inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs may stop the problem. If not, you may be advised to have further surgery.
- Less common complications such as Infection, Blood Clots, Dislocation and Joint Stiffening.
Outlook (Prognosis)
The outlook for a hip replacement is generally considered to be good. It is a routine operation that offers an end to joint pain, increased mobility and a better quality of life. Hip replacements currently last about 20-30 years.
However, it is a major operation with a fairly long recovery period. Associated problems include wear and tear of the prosthesis in people who are more active, and the device dislocating or loosening.
Hip resurfacing also appears to be beneficial, but there is little information available about the long-term safety and reliability of this method. It is not known precisely how long hip resurfacing parts last, but they are expected to last at least 10 years.
FAQ’s
What is the duration of stay for Hip Replacement?
The total duration of stay for Hip replacement varies from 14 to 21 days based on the whether it is a single hip replacement or a double double replacement.
Single Hip Replacement : 7 days at Hospital & 7 days at hotel.
Double Hip Replacement: 14 days at Hospital & 7 days at hotel.
What is the cost of the procedure & the expected cost savings for a medical tourist?
Single Hip Replacement costs USD 7700 and the Double Hip Replacement costs USD 14000 in India based on the kind of surgery. For a medical tourist, this translates to savings of around 80% depending on the country of origin.
Note:
1) The price quoted above is a very close estimate of the actual cost. The actual cost will vary based on the hospital, the condition of the patient and the time of admission.
2) The procedure cost does not include the price of airfare and hotel booking. We can help you get the best deals for airline and hotel bookings at no extra costs through our travel partners.
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(source: NHS, UK – August 2010)