Our Treatments

Hip Calcification F.A.Q

What Is Hip Replacement Surgery?
Hip replacement surgery involves removing the damaged joint surfaces and placing artificial components that will perform the function of the hip joint.

How Many Days Will I Stay in the Hospital After Hip Replacement Surgery?
On average, hospital stay after hip replacement is 2–3 days, depending on your overall condition and the surgical technique used. Our preferred tissue-respecting technique allows you to stand and walk on day 1, sit on the toilet and use stairs on day 2, and be discharged walking smoothly with a single crutch on day 3.

Can I Bear Weight on the Operated Side After Surgery?
In most cases full weight bearing is allowed immediately, but depending on the technique and implant your surgeon may ask you to walk with partial weight bearing for a period of time.

How Long Will I Need to Use Crutches After Surgery?
Crutch use is typically required for about 3–6 weeks. This duration may vary based on the surgical approach, the implant used, and your individual health.

What Materials Are Used in Hip Replacement?
To ensure durability and longevity, various metals have been combined with polyethylene and ceramic over the years. Your surgeon will select the most suitable materials for your case.

Why Does Hip Osteoarthritis Occur and What Happens in the Joint?
When inflammation occurs in the hip joint and persists, it leads to destruction (wear) of the cartilage. Cartilage cannot regenerate, so it thins and the underlying bone is exposed and rubs together. This irritates nerve endings, causing severe pain and creaking sounds. Over time movement becomes restricted and leg-length discrepancy may develop.

What Kind of Pain Do Patients with Hip Osteoarthritis Experience?
The main complaint is pain, usually felt in the groin and thigh, and sometimes on the inside of the knee. At first it worsens with activity (walking) and eases with rest. As the disease progresses, the pain-free walking distance shortens and night pain indicates end-stage disease.

Who Is Most Commonly Affected by Hip Osteoarthritis?
Genetics play a significant role in some forms. Other risk factors include prior trauma or accidents, excess weight, heavy labor, hip dislocation, leg-length discrepancy, and femoral head avascular necrosis—which itself can result from steroid use, hip fractures, blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell anemia), or heavy alcohol use.

How Is Hip Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?
A diagnosis is typically based on your history and physical exam, and is confirmed by X-ray. In some cases—such as early avascular necrosis—an MRI may be ordered for differential diagnosis.

Is There Medical Treatment for Hip Osteoarthritis?
Painkillers can help in the early stages but are not curative. In advanced stages pain often persists despite medication, and chronic use may harm organs such as the stomach, kidneys, and liver.

What Is the Importance of Exercise in Hip Osteoarthritis?
Generally, fit individuals with no other joint issues and a normal weight tolerate osteoarthritis better and recover faster after surgery. However, exercise alone cannot prevent osteoarthritis.

Who Is a Candidate for Hip Replacement?
Hip replacement is recommended to relieve pain and improve quality of life. It should be considered if pain persists despite conservative treatments (medication, exercise, etc.), interferes with daily activities, disrupts sleep, or impacts social life.

When and at What Age Should Hip Replacement Be Performed?
The timing depends on your symptoms and lifestyle. If pain does not significantly affect you, surgery can be postponed. But if pain is present, it’s time to consider surgery. Although more common after age 60, hip replacement can be performed in younger patients when other options fail.

What Happens If Hip Osteoarthritis Is Not Surgically Treated?
The condition will not improve on its own and cannot be cured by pills or physical therapy. Pain worsens over time, leg-length differences and abnormal gait develop, pain may spread to the back and knees, and medications can cause organ damage. A timely surgery would have been much simpler.

How Is Hip Replacement Surgery Performed?
There are two main approaches: conventional (15–20 cm incision) and minimally invasive (smaller incision). The minimally invasive approach may reduce hospital stay and transfusion needs but can increase the risk of implant malposition, dislocation, periprosthetic fractures, and nerve injury due to limited visibility. The primary goal is pain-free function; cosmetic concerns are secondary.

What Is Surface Arthroplasty?
Surface arthroplasty is used in femoral head avascular necrosis when the socket (acetabulum) is unaffected. A metal implant is placed on the femoral head to create a new joint surface, preserving bone stock. Success rates are around 60–70 %, and it allows for future total hip replacement if needed.

How Successful Is Hip Replacement?
Long-term success rates are around 90 %. Most patients are pain-free, walk without crutches, and can perform low-impact activities.

Does a Hip Prosthesis Wear Out?
Like any body structure, a prosthesis has a lifespan. Depending on use, materials, and surgical quality, most hip implants last 20–25 years without issues.

What Happens When a Hip Prosthesis Wears Out?
A revision surgery replaces the old implant with a new one. Although more extensive than the primary operation, revision outcomes are generally good.

What Are the Risks of Hip Replacement Surgery?
No surgery is risk-free. Main risks include infection, blood clots (embolism), bleeding, anesthesia-related or medication-related complications, dislocation, implant loosening, and periprosthetic fractures. The overall complication rate is about 5 %, and most can be prevented with proper pre- and postoperative care (blood thinners, compression stockings, antibiotics, etc.).