Hip replacement surgery is the process of removing damaged portions of the hip joint and replacing them with an alloy of metals, medical-grade plastics and ceramics.

• Total hip replacement can be cemented, in which bone cement is used to stabilize the stem/ ball of the joint in the femur bone and acetabular component/ socket of the joint, usually done in older age.
• Total hip replacement can be uncemented in which the stem/ ball of the joint is press fit to the femur bone, and the acetabular component/ socket of the joint is press fit and secured to the bone with screws. Cement is not used in this type, usually at a younger age.
• Total hip replacement can be a hybrid type in which the stem/ ball of the joint is pressed to fit the femur, and no cement is used. While the acetabular component/socket of the joint is fixed with the help of cement.

The total hip replacement type best for patients depends on

Age of patient
Quality of bone or density of bone
Surgeon preference
The ultimate decision has to be taken in consultation with the surgeon

When the hip joint is severely damaged or severe fracture is present
Blood supply to the hip joint is low (avascular necrosis of the hip joint). In these cases, total hip replacement is suggested.
In cases of arthritis of the hip, If after even doing physiotherapy, taking medications for hot and cold compression, and using support for walking for long periods, the pain still affects your daily life, you should consider total hip replacement with your doctor.
In a few cases, the hip joint tumour.

If, after taking treatment for a long duration, the patient is still in pain and unable to perform daily activities. If the patient cannot climb stairs, is not able to walk pain-free or requires some support to walk, or has pain even during the night in the hip joint. Patients should consider total hip replacement and not lose quality of life. “Don’t add numbers to your age, add quality of life to your age.

In cases of osteoarthritis of the hip joint and osteonecrosis of the head of the femur, the disease will progress. The disease doesn’t get cured by itself. The symptoms will increase with time, and performing daily activities will become quite difficult, then why lose quality lifetime?

Investigations are done before total hip replacement for checking for fitness for total hip replacement. Investigations usually talk about the general medical fitness of individuals as a patient will require anesthesia, so if there is some problem, the underlying medical condition can be treated or controlled before surgery. It helps in reducing the chances of complications during and after surgery.

Usually, total hip replacement takes 2- 3 hours.

Pain after total hip replacement is minimal or painless in patients who indicated using the epidural catheter. After removing the epidural catheter ice packing, pain medications and physical therapy help to reduce pain to a larger extent.

If total hip replacement went normal without complications and the patient was not suffering from other diseases like diabetes, hypertension, asthma etc., the patient is usually discharged after 3- 5 days. But this duration may vary depending on surgeon preferences.

The patient will be able to walk the very next day of total hip replacement with some support. But it will be able to join routine work after a few weeks to a month, depending on the individual and extent of surgery.

Usually, within a month after total hip replacement, you will be able to drive.

People with desk jobs can return to activity usually within a month after total hip replacement, but if it requires a field job or heavy work, the patient will have to wait for 6 – 8 weeks.

In severe cases, both hips can undergo total hip replacement simultaneously. This reduces the risk of complications and ensures faster recovery but it will require double the amount of physical therapy and determination from the patient. If you have to wait between both hips, it depends on the surgeons’ preference and the patient’s medical condition to determine the gap between 2 total hip replacements.

The ideal age for total hip replacement is between 50-80 years. Still, it can be done at any age depending on the medical condition of the patient and the severity of the disease with proper consultation from the surgeon.

It depends on the patient’s hemoglobin before and after total hip replacement. Blood can be donated by patient relatives or arranged from the community blood bank.

The patient will be able to walk within a few hours to one day after total hip replacement with the help of a walker or cane. The patient will be able to walk without support within a few days to weeks, depending on pain tolerance, physical therapy and surgeons’ advice.

You will be able to take a shower after 2-3 days. But you can only take a bath or swim after 6 weeks.

The patient will be able to climb stairs after discharge from the hospital but with a rule of using the unaffected leg as the leading leg.

Yes, you can after having a fit to fly certificate from the doctor concerned. Also, the patient may set off the alarm, so promptly tell the security in charge about total hip replacement.

Swelling may occur in the lower limb after total hip replacement for 6 months. It usually resolves with ice packing and elevation of the limb. In case of difficulty breathing and excessive pain, contact your surgeon immediately.

Risks may include stiffness of the hip, infection, damage to nerves, implant loosening and failure, dislocation, and fracture. In case of any fever, chills, swelling or discharge from the operative site, contact your surgeon immediately.

With the advancement of technology and better-quality implants, total hip replacement has become routine surgery worldwide. Most people will resume daily activities with proper follow-up care and physical therapy.

It depends on patient activity, age and overall health. But the average hip lasts for 15- 25 years.

It depends on the hospital category chosen by patients and the type of implant discussed. At Simpainortho.com, we have tried to reduce the cost of surgery and hospital expenses and included complete after-surgery services, which patients require after surgery because we know treatment doesn’t end at the patient’s discharge. To ensure the quick recovery of patients in simpainortho.com, we believe that a patient requires expert care within the most comfortable surroundings until he can join routine activities. So, we have made different packages for different patients according to need, and that too at the most affordable prices.

Yes, most insurances have included total hip replacement surgery.