The goal of a hip prosthesis is to restore the functionality lost due to coxarthrosis, not to limit the patient’s mobility. It becomes essential for patients suffering from severe pain and difficulty walking, typically caused by advanced coxarthrosis. Hip replacement surgery has become increasingly common and has evolved significantly over the years, with advancements in both techniques and materials. These improvements have led to faster recoveries and reduced pain in the immediate post-operative period. In this article, we will explore the various aspects of hip arthroplasty, including who is the ideal candidate, the cost of hip prosthesis surgery in Turkey, and the post-operative rehabilitation process, providing a comprehensive understanding of the procedure.
Hip prosthesis
When a hip prosthesis is implanted, the first step is to remove the damaged bone and cartilage.
The damaged components may be different, so the prosthesis may replace :
the femoral head alone: endoprosthesis or partial prosthesis ;
the femoral head and acetabular cavity: arthroplasty or total prosthesis.
Arthroplasty is generally performed on patients with advanced coxarthrosis who have worsening symptoms and wish to regain satisfactory joint function.
However, in the early stages of coxarthrosis, treatment is always conservative, involving anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapeutic interventions to control pain.
Hip arthroplasty is indicated for patients with :
advanced coxarthrosis, with severe symptoms;
irregularly fused fractures;
inflammatory arthritis;
femoro-acetabular impingement ;
femoral head necrosis.
Not all patients are candidates for hip arthroplasty.
Indeed, the operation necessarily involves a period of rehabilitation which, if not followed with care and attention, can render even an impeccable operation inconclusive.
The crucial questions in deciding whether or not to consider hip arthroplasty are:
- How intense is the hip pain?
- How long can you walk?
- Do you use a cane?
- Can you climb stairs independently or do you always use the handrail or a crutch?
- Do you wear socks yourself, sit on any chair without problems, get in and out of the car easily?
Hip replacement surgery
Hip replacement surgery is performed under general or epidural anesthesia with sedation.
In selected cases, it is possible to perform the operation using a minimally invasive procedure with anterior access, also known as AMIS (Anterior Mini-Invasive Surgery), with significantly reduced recovery times after the operation, guaranteeing early mobilization.
The main aim of the operation, however, is to improve the patient’s motor skills, autonomy and quality of life, and to eliminate or at least significantly reduce pain, both at rest and during physical activity.
Hip arthroplasty has a high success rate.
Almost all patients are fully satisfied with the results, due to the marked reduction in pain and the ability to perform all activities of daily living independently once again.
The average duration of a hip replacement is 60 minutes.
As a general rule, a prosthesis lasts from 15 to 20 years.
The reliability and durability of modern prostheses make it unlikely that a second operation will be necessary.
In the case of younger patients, however, it is possible to take the necessary precautions to facilitate a possible second operation, for example by using uncemented prostheses, which facilitate removal and replacement.
It is also important to rely on the best clinics in Turkey for hip arthroplasty, with high standards of excellence and dedicated multidisciplinary teams.
Rehabilitation after hip arthroplasty
It is often possible for the patient to walk on crutches on the day of surgery or the following day.
Crutches and anticoagulant treatment, a standard procedure to prevent the formation of blood clots after surgery, are generally discontinued after around 4 to 6 weeks, after which time office work can also be resumed, if sedentary, otherwise the timeframe may be extended.
The doctor’s advice and the proposed rehabilitation program after hip arthroplasty should guide the actions of all patients, with the aim of minimizing the side effects of surgery and speeding up recovery times as much as possible.
Recovery time after hip arthroplasty
The rehabilitation process generally lasts 3 to 5 weeks.
The patient’s healing capacity and functional requirements can influence the duration, which is re-evaluated each time by periodic check-ups.
In the early stages of rehabilitation after surgery, it is generally necessary to walk on crutches for 2-4 weeks, after which a cane can be used.
Those who diligently follow the exercises and rehabilitation guidelines should be able to drive again and return to work in 4 to 6 weeks .
The time taken to be completely satisfied with a hip replacement is around 3 to 4 months: most patients report a full recovery, but of course timescales can vary considerably and it is necessary to follow the advice of the specialist.
