Hip Replacement Surgery (Total Hip Arthroplasty)

Hip replacement surgery, or total hip arthroplasty, is when surgeons surgically remove an inflamed and painful hip joint and replace it with an artificial joint, usually with metal or plastic components. Professionals typically perform this procedure when all other treatment options fail to provide adequate healing. This procedure removes the painful joint, making walking easier.

Although today most hip replacement surgeries are performed with the standard method (an 8 to 10-inch incision on the side of the hip), some doctors have started to use a minimally invasive approach in recent years. In the minimally invasive procedure, doctors make several 2- to 5-inch incisions. Specialists do this entire procedure through these small incisions, similar to standard hip replacement surgery. These small incisions reduce bleeding, relieve post-operative pain, shorten hospital stays, reduce wound size, and speed up healing.

Who are the Ideal Candidates for Hip Replacement Surgery?

In cases where the patient's pain is excessive and disrupts the patient's everyday life, and doesn’t improve with non-surgical treatments such as medication and physical therapy, surgeons perform hip joint prostheses. In older people, limping or short limbs without much pain aren’t a requirement for hip replacement procedures. But it can be a reason for hip replacement in younger people.

All men and women with hip joint damage are ideal candidates for hip replacement surgery in Turkey. If this joint causes severe pain and disrupts the person's everyday life, everyone is a perfect candidate for this procedure, regardless of age.

Hip Replacement Surgery Steps

Specialist surgeons perform hip replacement surgery in Turkey, while doctors remove the patient's damaged joint and replace it with an artificial joint. This surgery takes 1-2 hours on average and varies according to the complexity of the surgery in different patients. Take a look at hip replacement surgery steps in Turkey in general:

• Preparation

Before hip replacement surgery, you must provide a complete pre-operative internal examination according to the surgeons' instructions. If you are being treated for another severe illness, you will prepare for that subject under the supervision of an expert.

In addition to the pre-operative examination, you may need to perform additional analyses to exclude a hidden infection source and replace the joint. These include procedures such as dental examination, urinalysis, and gynecological examination in women. However, blood thinners can significantly affect bleeding during surgery. In other words, you should stop aspirin and other blood thinners at least seven days before the surgery.

• Anesthesia

Hip replacement surgery is a routine operation in our clinic, but it is laborious. During traditional hip replacement surgery, you will give general anesthesia to relax the muscles and provide a temporary deep sleep. This ensures you don’t feel or be aware of pain during the surgery. As another option, the surgeon may recommend spinal anesthesia to help prevent pain.

• Process

The surgeon makes an incision near the hip joint and pulls aside the muscles attached to the top of the femur to expose the hip joint. In the next step, the surgeon cuts the femur with a saw to remove the spherical portion of the joint. The specialist then attaches an artificial joint to the femur using cement or a unique material that allows the remaining bone to connect to the new joint.

The doctor then prepares the surface of the hipbone by removing the damaged cartilage, and doctor attaches the replacement cup to the hipbone. The specialist then places the new ball part of the femur into the pelvic region. The surgeon may also insert a drain to help drain any fluid. The doctor then closes the incision by reconnecting the muscles.

Recovery Process After Hip Replacement Surgery

After hip replacement surgery in Turkey, you will likely stay in the hospital for a few days and may need to rest with a wedge-shaped pillow between your legs to keep the new hip joint in place. To help you go to the toilet, specialists will likely insert a drainage tube into your bladder. Physical therapy usually begins the day after surgery, and within a few days, you can walk with a walker or crutches. It would be best to continue physical therapy for weeks or months after surgery. Check out what you need to consider in the recovery process after hip replacement:

• Avoiding any rotation in the affected leg for 6 to 12 months after surgery would be best. In addition, the affected portion should not exceed the midline of your body or rotate inward, and you should not bend it more than 90 degrees in the hip joint area. This includes bending forward from the waist and squatting.
• Surgeons will provide the appropriate equipment and devices to help you follow instructions and precautions while performing your daily activities. Remember that if you don't follow your surgeon's recommendations, you could dislocate your newly replaced joint and require another surgery.
• You should avoid certain sports or strenuous activities even after the hip joint has healed.
• Minimize climbing stairs. Make arrangements to go up and down stairs once or twice a day.
• Use a high toilet seat. This will help you not bend too much at the hip joint.
• Keep active pets away until fully recovered.
• Consult your doctor before returning to activities such as driving and exercising.

How Much Does Hip Replacement Surgery Cost?

Hip replacement surgery costs in Turkey can vary greatly depending on the type of surgery, location, and healthcare provider. However, the cost of hip replacement in Turkey is relatively low compared to other countries. For example, while the cost of hip replacement surgery in the UK is between $30000 and $60000, the price in Turkey is between $5000 and $15000.

The cost of hip replacement surgery may also vary depending on the type of procedure performed. Traditional hip replacement surgery, which involves cutting and removing the damaged joint, tends to be less expensive than newer procedures such as minimally invasive hip replacement or robot-assisted hip replacement.