When is a hip replacement necessary?

Diseases of the hip can cause more severe pain than osteoarthritis in other parts of the body. This pain is usually difficult to tolerate because the hip is a major weight-bearing joint in the body. It constantly works hard, and is related to most functions of movement. One feels pain in the hip joint even while moving the hips gently or even while doing nothing at all. Additionally, patients with this condition may hobble, and younger people are less likely to accept hindrance in their walking.

In Thailand, there are 2 common causes of diseases of the hip. One of them is osteonecrosis (lack of blood supply to the bone), especially from the use of steroids or pain medications. Another is a degenerative condition, which occurs due to old age. Other causes include hip problems from birth and injuries causing hip dislocations or hip fractures. There are a few other less common causes.

Hip cancer can develop in 2 ways, metastatic and locally invasive. Both cause hip pain perpetually in all positions and to a more severe extent than osteoarthritis does. Patients with hip cancer may experience low-grade fever, loss of appetite and weight loss. On the other hand, for patients with hip infections, they will suffer from severe pain and have high-grade fever. However they usually do not experience loss of appetite or weight loss.

Primarily older patients benefit from hip replacement. In contrast, younger patients are usually not recommended for this procedure because they tend to be more active. They would also need to use their artificial hip joint for a longer period of time. This can cause the joint to wear out before the end of their lifetime, necessitating the hip joint to be replaced several times. In most cases, a 65 year old needs only one hip replacement surgery. This artificial hip should last their entire life. However this varies depending on how it is used. The life expectancy of the artificial hip joint can last up to 25 years if it is used only for walking. Whereas engaging in more activities can shorten its life expectancy. 

Having said that, each individual patient’s condition is different. Accordingly, doctors determine whether they need a hip replacement surgery or not. For example, young patients may be advised surgery if they have an underlying life-threatening disease. In these cases, an artificial hip will reduce their suffering from severe pain. As a result, it will improve their quality of life.

There are different types of artificial hip joints, cemented and uncemented prosthesis. In an uncemented hip replacement, the surface of the implant is covered in a coating. This enables it to be attached to the bone. While a cemented hip replacement uses a special type of cement to secure the implant to the bone. Although the uncemented hip replacement is expensive, it is durable, safe and requires only a simple surgery.

The type of surgery used depends on the surgeon’s expertise and patient’s age and lifestyle. Moreover, there is a special technique involving a minimally invasive procedure requiring only a 4.5 cm incision. Patients who are not very heavy will recover quickly and be able to walk the next day. They will have minimal tissue damage and pain, thereby requiring less postoperative pain medication. All in all, after this procedure, patients can return to their work faster than other procedures.

The Arthroscopic Surgery and Sports Orthopedic Center consists of an experienced team of medical professionals, specialized in all aspects of orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and sports medicine doctors. These experts help rehabilitate the body, bones and joints to full fitness, so that all of our patients can enjoy the confidence that they are receiving the best treatments available and are able to return to their normal daily lives as quickly as possible.

• Treatment Plan Consultation with a doctor via online video-call (second opinion)
• Treatment Planning if you have medical records or a price estimate from another hospital 
• Cost Planning by our Appraisals Team with price guarantee (only for procedure packages without complications)
• Check Initial Coverage Eligibility with Thai and international insurance companies (only for insurance companies in contract with the Hospital)