A joint is any place in your body where two bones meet. One of the most important joints is the hip joint, which connects your upper and lower body. The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint and one of the largest joints in the body, comprising your pelvis (hip bone) and femur (thigh bone). This joint enables your legs to support your body weight and offers a wide range of motion for your legs and hips.
After knee replacement, hip replacement is the second most commonly performed joint replacement surgery. Often, the need for hip replacement arises from the severe and irreversible damage to both joint surfaces of the hip.
The above X-ray demonstrates severe extensive damage to both hips, characteristically seen in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. The post-operative picture, after a total hip replacement (done at the same time), is seen on the right-hand side.
The X-ray above shows the presence of a left hip fracture sustained by the patient, who subsequently underwent hemiarthroplasty (partial hip replacement).
The anterior approach is the most preferred approach to hip joint replacement surgeries. This approach involves accessing the damaged or diseased hip joint through the front of the hip joint. Our doctor decides on the anterior approach based on the patient’s hip condition and age. Our team of experts highly recommends this option, as it gives individuals complete freedom of movement in the hip, with minimal to no limitations.
As the name suggests, this approach involves accessing the damaged or diseased hip joint through the back of the hip joint. This approach is primarily used for patients with hip diseases that have resulted in hip stiffness or complete fusion, depending on the patient's hip condition and age.
Also known as hemi hip replacement, this surgery involves replacing the damaged portion of the thigh bones to the hip joint or the head & neck of the femur. This type of hip replacement helps salvage the cup portion of the hip in its entirety. Hemi hip replacements are, however, reserved for elderly individuals who have sustained hip fractures NOT involving the cup (acetabulum).
This is a very effective form of hip replacement reserved for individuals with mild to moderate hip joint damage. Ortho experts at Sri Balaji Hospital suggest this replacement before the injury or disease impacts the performance of the surrounding muscular anatomy. Additionally, patients without any pre-existing illnesses and a body mass of under 30kg/m square can take part in an active rehabilitation process.
It is a form of hip replacement where only the ball portion of the hip joint is replaced without disturbing the upper part of the femur. This surgical procedure has strict indications pertaining to the person’s age, physical stature, type of hip disease and the extent of the disease. Hence, it is reserved for younger individuals with good bone quality/ strength and WITHOUT any deformity caused by the hip disorder.
Technological advancements in the field of joint replacement surgeries as a whole, especially hip replacements, have made it very safe and patient-friendly. The procedure:
At Sri Balaji Hospital, we minimise the time spent in bed and ensure the patient starts walking with support within 24 hours of the surgery being performed. Once that is achieved, there is no limit to how much the patient can/should walk afterwards. We encourage our patients to walk more frequently and for more extended periods. We also ensure they are comfortable climbing up and down the staircase within 21 days of the surgery.
Recent breakthroughs in pain relief, such as the protocols followed by Sri Balaji Hospital, ensure the patient has a very comfortable and low post-operative pain and minimum dependency on painkillers.
At Sri Balaji Hospital, we not only focus on achieving the aforementioned points but also strive to minimise the duration of stay post-hip replacement. In the past 500 joint surgeries performed at our hospital, patients have stayed for an average of 3 to 4 days before they are discharged, completely free from pain.
Our orthospecialists conduct an initial assessment of the painful joint, followed by an X-ray assessment. They may suggest MRI or CT scans for further joint examination on rare occasions.
We assess the patient’s health condition as the condition of the joint and then decide if they require surgery or not. If surgery is the only option, our doctors will suggest additional tests to confirm the patient’s health status. These tests include (but are not limited to):
All joint replacements performed at Sri Balaji Hospital are performed under regional anaesthesia. This means that while the patient remains completely pain-free throughout the surgery, they will always be fully conscious and oriented. This approach minimises the risks associated with general anaesthesia and gives patients a pain-free surgical experience.
During the procedure, the damaged or worn-out joint portion is replaced with a personalised prosthesis designed to resemble the measurements of the patient's natural joint. The prosthesis may be of the following material:
In this combination of prosthesis, the metal parts of the joint are made up of titanium or an alloy of cobalt & chromium. The two metallic surfaces of the replaced joint are lined by a spacer made of medical-grade polyethylene.
Oxidised zirconium on medical-grade polyethylene.
Comprises a ceramic metal as a joint surface with a spacer made of medical-grade polyethylene.
The rehabilitation program at Sri Balaji Hospital is designed to enable the patient to successfully do the recommended physical therapy at home without assistance and with immense ease and comfort.
Our doctors may suggest the following medication at the time of discharge:
A week’s dosage to protect the patient from home-acquired infections.
Our doctor may recommend anti-coagulants for certain patients if their health status deems it necessary. They will also prescribe the dosage based on the patient’s medical requirements.
A mild pain relief tablet for three days.
The patient will be ready for suture (stitch) removal by the 14th day. Between the date of discharge and suture removal, the patient may require one or two dressings. Patients can also opt for surgical wound dressing and suture removal to be performed from the comfort of their homes.
We at Sri Balaji Hospital strive for optimal results for all patients. Our medical treatment and healthcare protocols ensure that most patients walk pain-free without external support by the third or fourth week.
Hence, by the third week, our patients can expect to resume their office duties and daily routine. They can enjoy long walks outside the confines of their homes and visit parks, malls, beaches and places of worship. Our doctors also encourage patients to include climbing up & down the stairs in their daily routine and improve mobility.
By the sixth week, the patient is entirely pain-free. Their hip joint is primed and ready to help them use the staircase multiple times a day without experiencing any pain. They can also resume more strenuous activities at this juncture, including swimming, cycling, running, etc.
After the 6th week, the patient is advised to make a follow-up visit only on two occasions:
