Hip Replacement in Turkey

A surgeon replaces the damaged hip joint elements with new ones that are often made of metal, ceramic, or very hard plastic during hip replacement surgery. This prosthetic joint (artificial joint) aids in pain relief and improves function. Hip replacement surgery, also known as total hip arthroplasty, may be an option if hip pain prevents you from going about your regular business and nonsurgical treatments haven’t worked or are no longer efficient. Damage from arthritis is the most frequent cause of hip replacement.

What is hip arthritis?

Hip arthritis is a deterioration of the hip joint’s cartilage. The ball of the hip joint is located at the top of the thighbone (the femoral head). Cartilage separates the ball from the socket (the acetabulum). When the leg moves, the cartilage acts as a smooth surface between the ball and the socket, allowing the ball to float and rotate easily. Stability is provided by the labrum, a thick cartilage that lines the exterior rim of the socket. Hip cartilage that has been injured becomes tough. The distance between the bones gets smaller as the cartilage thins. In severe situations, bone scrapes against bone, making movement painful and stiff. Bone spurs—bone growths on the margins of a bone that alter its shape—can also develop when there is contact at any point between bones.Invest in your health, invest in a brighter future. Our comprehensive medical programs deliver real results, while you indulge in the beauty and serenity of our destination.

You can prefer hip replacement if your hip pain,

• Persists despite the painkillers
• Worsens when using a walker or cane to move around
• Disrupts sleep and affects one’s ability to ascend or descend stairs
• Makes it challenging to get out of a seated posture

Conditions that can harm the hip joint and occasionally necessitate hip replacement surgery include:

Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, also referred to as wear-and-tear arthritis, affects the slippery cartilage that protects the ends of bones and facilitates joint motion.

Arthritis rheumatica. Rheumatoid arthritis, which is brought on by an overactive immune system, results in an inflammation that can destroy joint cartilage and occasionally the underlying bone, leading to broken and misshapen joints.

Osteonecrosis. The bone may collapse and distort if there is the insufficient blood supply to the ball of the hip joint, which could happen as a result of a dislocation or fracture.

Total Hip Replacement 

Total hip replacement is the name given to the most popular type of hip replacement surgery (also called total hip arthroplasty). In this procedure, artificial implants are used to replace worn-out or damaged hip parts. The socket is changed out for a sturdy plastic cup that might or might not have a titanium metal casing. Your femoral head will be removed and changed out for a metal alloy or ceramic ball. A metal stem that is placed into the top of your femur is connected to the replacement ball.

Partial Hip Replacement

In a partial hip replacement, the femoral head of the hip joint is replaced just, as opposed to both sides as in a total hip replacement. This procedure is also known as hemiarthroplasty. The majority of older patients with hip fractures get this treatment.

Hip Resurfacing

In a traditional total hip replacement, the acetabulum, the damaged socket, and the femoral head, the top of the thigh bone, are both removed and replaced with ceramic, plastic, or metal components. The femoral head is not removed during hip resurfacing; rather, it is trimmed and covered in a smooth metal cap. Similar to a traditional total hip replacement, the worn-out bone and cartilage within the socket are removed and replaced with a metal shell.

The stem, the ball, and the socket are three distinct implants. The metal stem, which is often comprised of titanium or cobalt-chrome, is put into your thighbone’s natural opening. Usually constructed of polished metal or ceramic, the ball rests on top of the stem. The socket typically consists of a plastic liner with a titanium or cobalt-chrome backing.

There are three methods for performing hip surgery. The approach refers to the location of the incision the surgeon will make during the procedure. Types of approaches are as follows,

Lateral approach. The side of the hip is used in the lateral approach. This method is used with more difficult procedures or revision surgeries. The surgeon will employ this strategy if the patient has undergone three, four, or five surgeries, has cancer, or just has a unique circumstance.

Posterior approach. The posterior technique is another option, and it is commonly used. The gluteus maximus (your buttock muscle) is split using the posterior approach.

The muscle is split by the surgeon in the posterior and lateral approaches, and it cannot be stitched back to the bone.

Anterior approach. The hip is approached from the front. Less muscle injury occurs with the anterior approach which makes it preferable compared to other approaches. Only fascia, which covers the muscle, and the skin is sewed together. Going from the front allows for a much quicker process and faster recovery. Unlike the lateral and posterior approaches, the anterior method results in no muscle splitting, which makes the hip joint more stable and reduces the risk of dislocation.

Your orthopedic surgeon will examine you before the procedure. The doctor can,

• Inquire about your health history and the prescriptions you are taking.
• Examine your hip, focusing on the strength of the surrounding muscles and the range of motion in your joint.
• Order an X-ray and blood testing. Rarely MRI can be necessary.

Ask any questions you have regarding the procedure at this visit. Find out which drugs you need to stop taking or keep taking the week before surgery. It’s important to cease using tobacco products because it can prevent healing. Consult your doctor if you need assistance quitting.

Before the surgery

You will be required to take off your clothing and put on a hospital gown when you check in for your procedure. Either a spinal block, which numbs the lower half of your body, or a general anesthetic, which induces a state resembling sleep, will be administered to you. A numbing medication may also be injected by the surgeon into the joint or near it to assist reduce discomfort following surgery.

During the surgery

It will take two hours to perform the surgery. During the surgery:

• You will be given an intravenous (IV) line in your hand or arm once you are in the surgery room.
• Additionally, a urinary catheter might be implanted.
• On the advice of your anesthesiologist and orthopedic surgeon, you will either undergo general (whole body) or below-the-waist (epidural) anesthesia.
• To access the hip joint and create an incision, the surgeon will position you appropriately. Whether the surgeon employs a front, rear, or side approach will determine where the incision is made.

In order to replace a hip, the surgeon:

• Cuts through the tissue layers to make an incision above the hip
• Cuts a hole at the top of the femur and removes the femoral head, which is the ball portion of the joint.
• Places a replacement ball on top of the metal stem that is inserted into the top of the thigh bone. In other words, the replacement socket is inserted into the pelvic bone.
• Inserts the ball prosthesis’ stem, either with or without cement. The ceramic replacement head will then be fitted to the top of the femur implant. 
• Removes the worn cartilage from the acetabulum (the joint’s socket) and attaches the replacement cup. During the removal of sick and damaged bone and cartilage, the healthy bone remains untouched.
• To make sure your limb is functioning properly, will bend and move it.
• Will use stitches that dissolve to close tissue layers. Surgical glue is used to seal the skin’s top layer.

After the surgery

You will be sent to a recovery area for a few hours following surgery as your anesthetic wears off. Your blood pressure, pulse, awareness, amount of discomfort, and need for medicine will all be closely watched by medical personnel. To help keep fluid out of your lungs, you may be urged to take deep breaths, cough, or blow into a machine. Your particular demands will determine how long you remain after surgery. Many people are able to return home that day.

Pain Alleviation

Key benefits include increased mobility and long-lasting effects, but the main advantage is pain relief. All stages of your life can be impacted by an arthritic hip. For this reason after a successful operation, reducing hip discomfort can offer immediate advantages and improve quality of life.

Increased Strength and Mobility

The next important advantage after pain alleviation is improved mobility and strength. Patients recovering from hip replacement surgery should be able to walk and climb stairs without assistance.

High Success Rate

The success rate of hip replacement surgery is very high. 95% of patients say they are extremely happy with the way their surgery went. Only 5% of patients encounter a complication of some kind, the severity of which has an impact on how well their operation went.

Long-lasting Results

Particularly for patients who undergo hip replacement surgery when they are still reasonably young and active, the prosthetic hip components may eventually wear out. Therefore, if you are young and active you might require a second hip replacement if this occurs. On the other hand, older people are less likely to require hip revision surgery. New materials, however, are extending the lifespan of implants. Artificial hip implants are made to last a lifetime. According to the most recent studies, 80–85% of hip replacements are still functional 20 years after being implanted.

Improved Quality of Life

Along with the above-mentioned advantages, enhanced quality of life should not be undervalued. Gaining back the capacity to perform basic activities like walking and climbing stairs can have a profoundly positive impact on a person’s mental state. A patient may feel considerably more independent and less of a burden on their support network with an enhanced range of motion.

The following are some potential risks of hip replacement surgery,

• Clots of blood. After surgery, clots can develop in the leg veins. Because a fragment of a clot may separate and move to the lung, heart, or, in rare cases, the brain, this can be harmful. Medication that thins the blood can lower this risk.
• Infection. At the incision site and in the deeper tissue close to the new hip, infections can develop. The majority of infections are managed with antibiotics, but a serious infection close to a new hip may need to be surgically removed and replaced.
• Fracture. Healthy parts of the hip joint could fracture during surgery. Smaller fractures may be able to heal on their own in certain cases, while bigger fractures may require the stabilization of wires, screws, a metal plate, or bone grafts.
• Dislocation. In some postures, especially in the first few months following surgery, the ball of the replacement joint might pop out of the socket. A brace can assist in keeping the hip in the proper position if it dislocates. To stabilize the hip if it keeps moving out of place, surgery can be required.
• Leg length change. Even though surgeons take precautions to prevent it, occasionally a new hip results in one leg being longer or shorter than the other. Muscles around the hip may occasionally contract, causing this. In these situations, gradually tensing and stretching those muscles might be beneficial. After a few months, minor changes in leg length are typically undetectable.
• Loosening. The replacement joint might not become firmly bonded to the bone or might get looser over time, producing hip pain, even though this problem is uncommon with newer implants. The issue might require surgery to be resolved.
• Nerve damage. Nerve damage around the implant site is extremely unlikely. Numbness, weakness, and discomfort can be brought on by nerve injury.

In order to eliminate the risk factors after the surgery here are some precautions that you are advised to take:

Blood Clot Prevention

Your chance of developing blood clots in your legs will temporarily increase after hip replacement surgery. These actions could be taken to avoid this complication,

• Early movement. Soon after surgery, you’ll be urged to sit up and use crutches or a walker to walk.
• Applying force. You could use inflatable air sleeves or elastic compression stockings on your lower legs during and after surgery. Your legs are compressed and released by the air sleeves. That lessens the possibility of clot formation by preventing blood from collecting in the leg veins.
• Blood-thinning medications. After surgery, your surgeon might advise taking oral or injectable blood thinner. You may require blood thinners for several weeks following surgery, depending on how quickly you walk, how active you are, and your overall risk of blood clots.

Physical Therapy

Daily activity and exercise can help you regain the use of your joints and muscles. A physical therapist can suggest stretching and strengthening routines and teach you how to use crutches, a walker, or a cane as walking assistance. As rehabilitation develops, you’ll gradually increase the amount of weight you put on your leg until you’re able to walk without assistance.

The average hospital stay is 3 to 5 days, but recovery times can differ. When you’re prepared to go home, your hospital will advise you on how to care for your hip at home.

You and your caregivers will receive instructions on how to take care of your replacement hip before you leave the hospital. For convenience:

• Plan for a friend or family member to prepare some meals in advance.
• Place daily necessities at waist level to avoid bending down or reaching up.
• For your recovery at home, think about purchasing a raised toilet seat and a shower chair.
• Place your phone, Kleenex, TV remote, medication, and books close to the location where you’ll be spending the majority of your recovery time.

A physiotherapist will show you exercises to help strengthen your hip muscles, which you’ll need to do at first while using a frame or crutches. An occupational therapist will determine whether you require any tools to help you function at home. Additionally, you can be enrolled in a workout regimen created to help you regain and subsequently enhance your hip joint’s functionality. Within around 6 weeks, you should be able to resume mild hobbies or office work. To find out when to resume your regular activities, it is important to talk with your doctor or physiotherapist as everyone heals at a different pace.

You may ask yourself “What is the cost of hip replacement in Turkey?”. Although there are many variables that affect how much treatment costs, the average cost of hip replacement in Turkey has been rising for years. Recent estimates indicate that the ultimate cost of hip replacement in Turkey can vary widely, with the average total cost falling between $31,000 and $45,000.

Hip Replacement in Turkey Summary (Price, Duration Time, Hospitalization)

Operation Number	Depends on the condition of your hip replacement implant	Time to return to work	6 weeks
Operation Time	1-2 hours	Recovery	6-12 days
Anaesthesia	General Anaesthesia	Persistence of Results	Temporary, implants last about 10-20 years
Sensitivity Time	6 weeks	Hospital Stay	3-5 days
Price	From 31,000 EUR to 45,000 EUR