FAQs

If you are advised Hip Replacement surgery, you may want to know more details about it. Here we list the most commonly asked questions about hip replacement and their answers. If you want any further clarification please do not hesitate to ask either Dr. Thakkar or one of his associates.

What are the conditions, for which the hip replacement surgery is advised?

Hip replacement is advised for many painful hip disorders like fresh or old fractures of either the socket or the ball, failure of previous fixation and arthritis of the hip.

For which painful hip disorder, hip replacement surgery can not be done?

If the hip pain is due to ongoing infection in the joint or the bones, hip replacement is contra indicated.

But if the infection is burnt out, one may carry out hip replacement is selected case

At what age can joint replacement be done?

Joint replacement is ideally done for patient above the age of 60 years. It may be done between ages of 40 and 60. It is rarely done between ages of 20 and 40. It is never done in children.

Currently the quality of the artificial joints being very good , young people, even in their 20s & 30s, who suffer from painful arthrits are advised to undergo early surgery to improve the quality of life.

What are the types of hip replacements?

There are two types of hip replacements;

Hemi replacement:

In which only ball of the femur is replaced.

Total hip replacement:

In which ball is replaced and the socket is resurfaced.

What is the difference between cemented and non cemented hips?

The parts of the artificial hip may either be fixed to bone with a substance called Methyl Methacrylate (Bone cement), or they are pressfitted to the bone with capacity for the bone to stick to the parts. This Non-cemented hip is used mainly for younger individuals.

What is the ball and socket made up of?

The ball is made either of stainless steel, cobalt chrome alloy or ceramic.

The socket is made either of poly ethylene, stainless steel or ceramic.

What is the life of ceramic on ceramic hip replacement surgery?
Ceramic on ceramic hip replacement surgery last 25 to 30 years.
What is the average time taken for surgery?

The average time taken for joint replacement surgery is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

What is the average hospital stay recommended after joint replacement?

The hospital stay is approximately for Four days after hip replacement surgery.

When does the exercise program start after joint replacement?

Exercises start within a day after joint replacement, while walking starts 2 days after the surgery

Does one need some support of walker or stick after joint replacement?

One may need temporary support of walker or walking stick after joint replacement. Whether one needs permanent support depends on whether other joints are affected.

Can a person with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart trouble undergo joint replacement?

Even a person with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart trouble can safely undergo joint replacement surgery under medical supervision.

What are the precautions to be taken after joint replacement?

It is advisable to use commode, avoid sitting on floor, jogging, running and fast sports after joint replacement surgery. Moderate speed walking, climbing stairs and swimming are permitted.

What are the common complications after joint replacement?

The complications after joint replacement are Deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and Infection.

What precautions are taken to prevent these complications?

To prevent deep vein thrombosis, at our centre we use calf compression device,which gently massages the calf, preventing blood flow stagnation. In some patients blood thinners are administered.

To prevent infection, surgery is carried out in specialised operation theatre, at our centre we use space suits during surgery to prevent wound contamination and use antibiotics pre-operatively.

With our system of Navigation with computer, the chances of fat embolism have reduced considerably.

Can this operation be done in any Nursing Home or Hospital?

No, This is a specialized surgery which requires special set up including proper operation theatre, post-operative intensive care unit, trained nurses and technicians and expert physiotherapist to achieve desired results.

How much does the surgery cost?

The cost depends on the type of Implant, the type of room that you select and your medical condition. Before surgery a budget can be drawn out.

Is it covered under Mediclaim?
That will depend on the Mediclaim policy.