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• When I shall be able to walk?

Patients are usually made to walk on second day after operation; physiotherapist will be there to assist you. At the time of discharge you will be able to walk to toilet or bathroom on your own with the help of walker or cane. The ambulation may be delayed or the weight bearing may be restricted in case of poor bone quality.

• What is the material used for replacement?

The implant is a special highly polished alloy (Cobalt-Chrome) or ceramic head on femoral component articulating with high quality polyethylene.

• How long I have to stay in the hospital after surgery?

In case you are getting one hip operated you will stay in the hospital for five days after surgery. In case, both the hips are operated together, duration of stay is for seven days after surgery.

• I am staying alone, how long I will need someone for help at home after discharge from hospital?

As discussed above, you will be able to walk to toilet or bathroom on your own at the time of discharge, but, if you are staying alone, you should have someone around for a month after surgery to assist you in daily activities.

• When can I start driving?

You can start driving after two months of surgery depending on the muscle strength and comfort.

• When can I travel abroad?

Traveling in the city for short duration may be started after 2 – 3 weeks. Going out of city may be done approximately after a month. Overseas travel should ideally be undertaken 3 months after surgery.

• What are the lifelong precautions after surgery?
  • Not to sit cross legged, squat or use an Indian toilet or a low chair.
  • Avoid impact sports like jogging, jumping, badminton etc
  • Antibiotic prophylaxis before any dental, gynaecological or urinary procedure.
  • Specific precautions to prevent dislocation of hip are available as separate documents.
• How long I will need to do physiotherapy?

You will be guided in your exercises by our team of physiotherapist during your stay in the hospital. After discharge you will need to continue with some easy exercises that you can do on your own. This may be required for a period of 6 – 8 weeks or till the time you are comfortable with your walking. Physiotherapist assistance after discharge may be required for 2 weeks.

• I am over weight, should I lose weight first and then undergo surgery?

Thin patients are easy for us to operate and postoperative recovery is also good. But, losing weight and maintaining weight loss can be difficult in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip, since their symptoms often limit the amount and type of exercise in which they can participate.

• How long are these joints going to last?

Life of the artificial joint depends on number of variables, including the type of activities you are engaged, quality of bone, whether you are overweight etc. Normally these joints have a finite lifespan of 15 – 20 years.

• What is Revision Joint Replacement or Redo surgery of joints?

Revision or redo surgery of joints involve removing the earlier / older implants from the patient and replacing them with new implants.

• Why does one need a Revision? Or why Joints fail?

There are three main reasons for revision or for the Joints to fail. These reasons may coexist or exist in isolation.

• • Implant Loosening (with Infection / without Infection / Fracture)
  • Wear related damage to the implant primarily Polyethylene inserts or liners
  • Instability (recurrent dislocation or other symptoms of instability)
• I had a joint done in past, how do I know I need a Revision surgery?

Recurrence of earlier symptoms like pain and swelling not preceded by any known injury, gradually worsening start up pain that remains unrelieved after short course of anti-inflammatories or analgesics should warrant a evaluation and could possibly be due to loosening or wear.

Instability may present with frank dislocation and abnormal movement at joint or subtle symptoms like Vague Anterior Knee Pain, Recurrent Effusions, Soft Tissue Tenderness and Difficulty Climbing up and down stairs.

Infection may present with Increased pain, swelling in joint and discharging sinus. Fever may also be present without any other appreciable cause.

Regular follow-ups with the clinician and interval radiographs are important to detect polyethylene wear or failure due to bone collapse earlier and limit the bone damage that may sue.

What happens if I delay the Revision Surgery?

Once the loosening, infection, Instability or wear of component has been diagnosed, long delays increases the amount of bone damage and stretching of the soft tissues / ligaments and may increase the magnitude of revision surgery.

What makes revision surgery more complex?

At the time of primary surgery the bone and ligaments are in their natural state, but during the revision surgery there is variable bone loss and soft tissue imbalance due to loosening / infection which need to be addressed, moreover, older implants, bone cement and debris need to be carefully removed to limit the damage (some bone loss is always accompanied with removal of implant). These things add to complexity and duration of the revision procedure.

Are the Revision implants any different from Primary (first surgery) joint replacement implants?

Yes, the revision implants are more bulky, more constrained (for stability due to ligament deficiency) and expensive.

What is the difference between life or longevity of a Primary and Revision Surgery?

Longevity or Life of revision surgery is generally expected to be lesser than the Primary or First Surgery. As the constraint in the implant (provisions for extra stability) increases the longevity of the implant decreases. Poor quality of Bone and significant bone loss at the time of revision surgery also adversely affects the life of revision surgery.

• Any special complication associated with Revision Joint Replacement

Extensive exposure, increased duration of procedures, poor soft tissue difficulty in removing the older components, poor bone quality and bone loss may increase the period required for recovery and may also the risk of complications. E.g. Infection, early loosening, fractures during surgery and Instability (especially in Hips)

Taking care of all these issues, patients requiring revisions have to be evaluated thoroughly and surgery planned meticulously to minimize the risk of complications and improve longevity