Minimally invasive hip replacement: surgery and rehabilitation

Hip replacement involves replacing the joint with a prosthesis housed in the femoral canal. Recovery and re-education times after surgery are reduced thanks to the Fast-Track procedure, which guarantees a rapid and painless post-operative course. Minimally invasive surgery respects the body’s noble tissues, enabling rapid functional recovery.

HIP OSTEOARTHRITIS AND MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROSTHESIS

Coxarthrosis , or osteoarthritis of the hip, is a degenerative pathology affecting the cartilage lining the femur and/or acetabulum. The disease causes exposure of bone tissue and increased friction between surfaces, leading to pain and functional limitations during normal daily activities.

In advanced stages, the only remedy is unfortunately arthroplasty, covering the bone surfaces with special minimally invasive prostheses.

For more information on coxarthrosis, visit our Pathologies page.

When to have surgery

The most difficult question to answer is certainly this one. The decision to have a prosthesis depends on several factors:

• Patient-reported pain and its frequency;
• Response to anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs;
• Duration, type and degree of osteoarthritis;
• Response to conservative treatments such as physiotherapy, magnetotherapy and hyaluronic acid infiltration;
• Patient quality of life;
• Habits and expectations.

Since this is not an emergency operation (unless, of course, it involves a femoral neck fracture), it can be planned according to the needs of each individual patient.

How many types of hip arthroplasty are there?

Cup, the acetabular component of a hip prosthesis

There are different types of hip prosthesis:

Endoprosthesis , i.e. femoral prosthesis without acetabular lining (reserved for femoral neck fractures in the elderly);

The overlay prosthesis , consisting of a metal sphere covering the surface of the femoral head, should be reserved for very select cases, such as young, athletic subjects with high functional requirements;

The total prosthesis, the most widely used for coxarthrosis, consists of a prosthesis of the femur and acetabulum.

A distinction must also be made between cemented and non-cemented prostheses: the former are used in elderly patients and those suffering from osteoporosis, the latter in younger patients with good bone quality.

Complications of hip arthroplasty

Complications of hip prostheses can be of 3 main types:

• Luxation , a traumatic event in which the head of the femur protrudes from the acetabulum. It is often secondary to a traumatic event or to rotation of the pivoting limb on the foot.
• Aseptic loosening of prosthetic components, i.e. loss of adhesion and contact between the prosthesis and the patient’s bone.
• Periprosthetic infection.

Hip prosthesis revision: when to do it and why

Hip arthroplasty has been defined as the most important operation of the last century. However, more than 60 years later, certain problems remain, and some patients, as with all surgical procedures, experience complications. Find out on the dedicated page what the most frequent reasons are, and when a second visit to the operating room is necessary for a revision of the hip prosthesis.

Surgical access

The hip prosthesis can be performed using different surgical approaches: anterior, lateral and posterolateral. Personally, I prefer posterolateral access, which allows me to video hip prosthesis Dr Alessio Biazzo 03 reach the cox femoral joint through an incision over the trochanter without sacrificing any tendons or muscles.

Components of the prosthetic implant

The hip prosthesis consists of a femoral component or stem, which is inserted inside the femoral canal, a femoral head (in this case made of ceramic) and an acetabular component, which is inserted inside the pelvis.

inserted inside the pelvis. The polyethylene insert is then inserted over the acetabular component.

The polyethylene insert allows the prosthetic surfaces to slide over all levels of the space.

Phases of the operation

In our case, hip prosthesis surgery in Turkey is performed using the femur-first technique. The technique involves first preparing the femur, then orienting the acetabulum to achieve perfect coupling between the two components. 

This provides greater stability and minimizes the risk of dislocation.

Duration of operation

The operation takes around 50 to 60 minutes, which varies from patient to patient, and allows a return to normal life within 4 weeks, which also varies from patient to patient.

In this type of operation, unlike the knee, bone cement is not used. This is possible because the acetabular and femoral components of the prosthesis are covered with hydroxyapatite, a material that enables perfect biological osseointegration within the femoral canal and acetabulum.

Simultaneous bilateral hip arthroplasty

Here too, in selected cases, the operation can be performed simultaneously on both hips without slowing down the healing process. For allergy sufferers

in this case, there is no problem with nickel, as the components are made of a nickel-free titanium alloy.

Turquie Santé is your partner for hip prosthesis surgery in Turkey. We provide a range of appealing packages for top-tier medical care at competitive prices. Our extensive network of esteemed clinics ensures you receive treatment from skilled professionals in state-of-the-art facilities, allowing you to concentrate fully on your recovery. Reach out to us for more information and to learn how we can support you on your healthcare journey in Turkey.