Total Hip Replacement Surgery In Chennai – Procedure, Benefits, Cost & Recovery

When Hip Pain Affects Daily Movement and Quality of Life

Your hip is one of the largest joints of all in the body. It helps you walk, sit, stand rotate your legs, and more with no extra effort. However damages, trauma or injuries to the hip joint will give you the hardest experience of all and you are likely to experience severe pain and immobility. This article will provide you with the anatomy of the hip joint, how the injury affects you and what remedies you have for getting it back on track.

What is Hip Replacement?

Your hip joint is just like the structure of the shoulder joint – the ball and socket model. But the hip joint is the largest one in the body, and the ball of the thigh bone (femur) – the largest bone in your body – rests in a socket in the hip (pelvis). This allows you to do a wide range of motion with your leg. 

As time passes by, the hip joint might also get damaged due to wear in the cartilage cushion between the ball and the socket. This leads to the bones grinding against each other, causing severe pain too. The major cause could be arthritis or an injury, in which osteoarthritis is the most common one. People would ultimately need a hip replacement to overcome the issue.

During a hip replacement the surgeon will remove the damaged parts of the joint and replace them with prosthetic hip joint parts which will function exactly like the normal hip joint.

There are different types of hip replacements done today as per the patient’s problem and its severity. 

  • Arthroscopy
  • Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO)
  • Hip resurfacing 
  • Cartilage transplant
  • Total hip replacement. 

In this article we shall look into the total hip replacement procedure and its details.

What Is the Major Cause of Hip Joint Impairment?

There are a lot of causes for getting hip pain or discomfort, leading to medical intervention, the most common of all being arthritis.

Osteoarthritis 

This condition usually occurs in people aged 50 and older, where the cartilage tissues cushioning the hip will start wearing off. People having a family with a history of arthritis can also get this condition. The bones start rubbing against each other and cause extreme pain and stiffness, which would need to be taken care of with the help of an orthopaedician.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

In this condition the body’s immune system plays the major role. There is a thick lining inside the hip joint called the synovial membrane that produces a lubricant for the bones to move freely. This synovial membrane will get inflamed and thickened as an autoimmune response from the body. This leads to damage of the cartilage and gives you severe pain along with stiffness. The hip joint can get severely affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis 

The arthritis can be caused by various factors. Post-traumatic arthritis is a condition that occurs after a hip fracture or an injury where the cartilage becomes damaged and leads to hip problems.

Osteonecrosis

This is a hip injury followed by a hip dislocation or even a fracture where the blood supply to the femoral head or the top portion will be limited. With such a lack of blood, the surface of the bone may collapse, causing arthritis, leading to hip damage.

Hip disease in childhood or wear and tear with ageing or injury

Some children would have had hip problems in their early childhood which would have been treated. But still they may get arthritic conditions in the future, as their hips may not grow in a natural way and affect their hip joints.

What Happens During Hip Replacement Surgery?

If you have symptoms showing a bad hip function, then you would need a medical diagnosis to confirm what actually is the issue. If your doctor advises you of a total hip replacement, then here are the steps that are usually followed for the same.

Pre-surgery 

You will be taken through a thorough evaluation for a clear idea of what your hip joint damage is and whether you need a partial or a total hip replacement. For this you will be asked to provide blood work, hip x-rays, and urinalysis. In addition to that, you might need an MRI, EKG and CT scan for a clear treatment plan.

During this stage your social planning and home planning about the aftercare procedures also will be discussed to ensure an effective recovery.

During the surgery

The hip replacement surgery can be done either by getting admitted to the hospital or by getting a same-day surgery too. You will be given anaesthesia to put you to sleep. Nerve block anaesthesia also will be given to numb your body from the waist down.

The artificial implant will have a ball component made of strong metal or ceramic material. The socket prosthetic will usually be a durable plastic or ceramic cup with an outer metal shell.

The surgery usually takes about 2 hours maximum but depends on the complexity of the condition. Here the damaged cartilage and bone will be removed and then the new implant will be fitted in to restore the alignment of your natural hip anatomy. 

Post-surgery

Once the surgery is over, you will be kept under observation till the sedation from the anaesthesia leaves your body, and then you will be either shifted to a room or will be sent home. 

As a part of postoperative care, you will be given medications for pain management. The doctor will remove the stitches or staples, usually two weeks after the surgery. You should take proper care of the wound till it is thoroughly sealed. 

During the post-surgery period, you will be recommended to actively participate in the physiotherapy workouts. It would start with very low-impact exercises and then progress gradually towards strengthening exercises. You should be able to resume your daily routines within 3-6 weeks after the surgery.

Benefits of Total Hip Replacement Surgery

The majority of the hip replacement surgeries are very successful, as the patients have a phenomenal improvement in their symptoms like pain or stiffness. The patients get increased mobility after a full recovery, and it makes it easier for them to walk, climb stairs, sit, or do any other ROM.

The main benefits reported are 

  • Long-term pain relief
  • Restored mobility and management
  • Improved quality of life 
  • High success rates with new and advanced implants.

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Total Hip Replacement?

You would need to consult with your orthopaedic surgeon to confirm if you need hip replacement surgery. For that you must identify what your symptoms are. 

The common symptoms are:

  • Discomfort which interferes with sleep
  • Difficulty in climbing stairs or going down the stairs.
  • Pain that doesn’t subside even with pain medication.
  • Immobility and stiffness are getting worse.
  • Unmanageable pain, swelling, and bruising in the hip which might indicate a fracture.

Based on a detailed evaluation, your doctor will be able to diagnose the actual problem and inform you which type of hip replacement is to be done.

Total Hip Replacement Surgery Cost in Chennai

The cost of total hip replacement in Chennai can vary substantially depending on a lot of factors, like which implant type is used, how complex the condition is, and the hospital and surgeon’s reputation and expertise. There might be additional costs involved in diagnostics, the rehabilitation process and hospital stay, apart from the surgical expense.

Total hip replacement in Chennai is usually priced from an average of Rs 80,000 to Rs 2,00,000 at a lower scale. It might be increased according to the complexity of the procedures, though.

Hip Replacement Surgery Recovery Time

Patients usually start walking within two days after surgery and can return to work in 6-12 weeks. However, a full recovery will take place only in 3-6 months. Within this time period proper aftercare should be followed as advised by your doctor.

The typical recovery phase includes the following:

  • Day 1-3 – stand and walk with help to prevent blood clots.
  • Weeks 1-6 – increasing the frequency of walking and reducing pain and stiffness with gentle movements. Use of crutches or a walker is recommended.
  • Weeks 6-12 – independent walking possible with light activities and strengthening exercises.
  • Months 3-6 – typically a full recovery starts showing up with patients returning to their normal activities, including sports. Active participation in strengthening exercises and physiotherapy is recommended for long-term maintenance of results.

Why Choose Chennai Orthopaedics for Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Choosing Chennai Orthopaedics for a hip replacement surgery will be one of the best decisions you can make. With its advanced facilities and latest implant equipment, with expert orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists, there is no better place than this to choose for your hip replacement procedures.

We have the most advanced world-class amenities equipped with modern imaging systems, advanced operation theatres and equipment, and specialised orthopaedic wards. With the best orthopaedic and trauma surgeons and skilled physiotherapy professionals, your recovery will be smooth and remarkable. The rehabilitation support you get from our hospital is based on international standards. 

How to Prepare for Hip Replacement Surgery

Before you appear for a hip replacement surgery, just before the pre-surgery preparation, there are some things you must make a note of and follow some days before the hospital arrival.

They are:

Pre-surgery exercises

This is also known as prehab, where you need to undergo preoperative physical therapy to strengthen your hip joint muscles. Low-impact exercises like gentle stretching and movements can improve endurance. Slight strengthening exercises may also be recommended to make sure you recover smoothly and risk-free.

Lifestyle changes

Your doctor might ask you to make proper lifestyle changes, like reducing weight, to avoid applying pressure on the hip joint. You will be asked to take a balanced diet with all nutrients included and practise stress management. You should also focus on quitting smoking and avoid any alcohol consumption.

Medications 

All your current medicines will be reviewed by your doctor and you will be made to stop any kind of medicines that might be affecting the surgery like blood thinners, etc.

Home planning for easier recovery

Proper home planning is very essential to adjust to postoperative life, like removing hazardous items like loose rugs, clutter, or anything similar that might make you fall or trip. Making arrangements for a proper support system or carers to assist you with daily tasks is very important.

FAQs

What is a total hip replacement and why is it needed?

Hip replacement is needed for people with a damaged hip joint and in the surgery artificial implants are placed in the damaged area to relieve pain and improve mobility.

How long is the recovery time after hip replacement surgery?

Recovery time usually takes place within 3-6 weeks with a full recovery taking around 3-6 months.

What is the cost of total hip replacement surgery in Chennai?

The cost for hip replacement in Chennai comes around Rs 80,000 to Rs 2,00,000 depending on the complexity and type of implant used. Prices may increase with different factors.

What happens during hip replacement surgery?

The surgeon will remove the damaged area of bone or cartilage tissue and replace them with artificial implant to provide smoother movement and stability.

Who is the right candidate for hip replacement?

Patients having severe arthritis, hip fracture, genetic hip diseases. Those with no response to traditional non-surgical solutions are recommended to undergo a hip replacement.

How long do hip implants last?

Hip replacement implants usually are found to last for 15-20 years on an average. But for that a proper care and activities are always important with which it can also last more than 25 years.