Who needs a hip replacement?
Hip replacement is considered when hip pain and stiffness make walking, sleeping or sitting difficult and other treatments have not helped. Common reasons include:
- Osteoarthritis of the hip
- Avascular necrosis (AVN), where the head of the thigh bone loses its blood supply, common in younger adults
- Rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
- Fracture of the neck of the femur, especially in older people
- Hip problems from childhood, such as hip dysplasia
Types of hip replacement
- Total hip replacement: both the ball and the socket are replaced.
- Hemiarthroplasty: only the ball is replaced, usually after a hip fracture.
- Hip resurfacing: the ball is capped rather than removed, for selected younger, active patients.
- Revision hip replacement: replacing an old, worn or loose implant.
Reports to send before you travel
- X-ray of the pelvis showing both hips, taken in the last 3 months
- MRI of the hips if AVN is suspected
- Recent blood tests: blood count, blood sugar and HbA1c, kidney function
- ECG, and an echo if you have a heart condition
- A list of your medicines and other illnesses
How the surgery is done
After a full check-up in Chennai, the surgery is done under spinal or general anaesthesia. The surgeon removes the damaged ball and socket and fits a new socket into the pelvis and a stem with a new ball into the thigh bone. The parts may be fixed with or without bone cement, depending on your age and bone quality.
Recovery and your stay in Chennai
You start walking with a walker on the first or second day. Physiotherapists teach you safe ways to sit, bend and climb stairs while the new joint settles. After 3 to 5 days in hospital, you continue physiotherapy from a nearby hotel or apartment.
Most patients are ready to fly home 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. Daily activities return by about 6 weeks, and full recovery takes 3 to 6 months.
What affects the cost of hip replacement in India
- One hip or both hips
- Implant type (cemented, uncemented, ceramic or metal bearings)
- Primary or revision surgery
- The hospital and room category
- Other illnesses that need extra care
Send your X-rays and reports for a free doctor review and written cost estimate.
Frequently asked questions
I am young and have AVN of the hip. Do I need a replacement?
Not always. In early AVN, joint-saving procedures may help. In advanced AVN with collapse of the hip, replacement usually gives the best result. An MRI helps the surgeon decide.
When can I fly home after hip replacement?
Usually 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, once you walk confidently and the wound has healed.
Can both hips be replaced on one trip?
Sometimes. It depends on your fitness and the surgeon's advice. Both hips may be done together or a week apart.
This page gives general information to help you plan. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a doctor who has examined you. Your treating specialist in Chennai will confirm the right treatment for you.