The methods of modern hip surgery include hip arthoscopy, resurfacing and total or hip arthroplasty.
During hip arthoscopy, the hip surgery specialist can use minimally invasive hip surgery to look inside the functionally or anatomically damaged joint (so-called "hip impingement" = trapped hip) and clean its joint surfaces. If this alone is not sufficient to maintain joint function, the hip joint must be operated on. Particularly after sports injuries, in trauma surgery and in cases of hip arthrosis , the patient first undergoes joint-preserving surgery or, in severe cases, later receives a hip joint prosthesis.
X-ray image of the hip. (©Choo Adobe Stock 200284320)
Hip surgery clinics treat patients with various problems of the hip joint, e.g. hip arthrosis, hip impingement and/or congenital hip dysplasia. Late effects of femoral head necrosis or the childhood form of this disease, Perthes' disease, are also treated here.
In addition to hip arthroscopy, the extent of joint damage in the hip joint is also determined using X-rays as standard. This image can then be used to plan the therapeutic procedure in consultation with the patient.
Hip surgery clinics and their specialists are equipped to perform all common hip operations. In view of the fact that hip surgery is now one of the most frequently performed operations, it is clear that the high standards can be found almost everywhere. In addition to specialists in minimally invasive hip surgery, e.g. hip arthroscopy, there is often also a specialist in hip arthroplasty.
In hip surgery, doctors generally differentiate between joint-preserving hip surgery and reconstructive hip surgery. As the name suggests, in the first case the aim is to preserve the function of the patient's natural joint. However, this is not always possible in the long term, which is why reconstructive surgery is required, as in the second case. A surface or hip prosthesis is usually inserted, depending on the severity of the joint damage.
Different approaches (minimally invasive) and different types of prosthesis (short stem, ceramic bearing couples) can be considered. All procedures have specific advantages and specific disadvantages. Your doctor will be happy to advise you on this.
Please note that hip surgery should always be followed by physiotherapy to accelerate wound healing and to improve mobility to a normal level after hip replacement surgery.
In addition to the possible complications of any operation, such as wound healing disorders, thrombosis or embolism ("blood clots") or possible blood loss, special complications such as a difference in leg length, hip dislocation (dislocation of the joint) or a deep prosthesis infection can also occur. Overall, however, the risks of such procedures are extremely low.
Well-established treatment procedures greatly minimize the risk of all the complications mentioned in specialized hospitals. Experienced surgeons contribute to a reduced risk of complications such as bleeding or dislocation.
The risk of thrombosis increases in particular if you have to lie in bed for a long time after a hip operation - in specialist hospitals, however, you will usually start an exercise program and physiotherapy (physiotherapy) on the day of your hip operation. You will also be given medication to further reduce the risk significantly.
Specialists in hip surgery often work in specialized clinics. You will find doctors specializing in hip surgery mainly among the specialists in orthopaedics and trauma surgery.
It is not possible to designate a clinic as the "best clinic" or "top clinic" for hip surgery. However, there are doctors and clinics that specialize in hip surgery and have a great deal of experience. You can find these hip surgery experts in the Leading Medicine Guide.
Only selected highly qualified medical experts and specialists are presented in the Leading Medicine Guide. All listed doctors have a high level of specialist expertise, have excellent experience in the field of hip surgery and fulfill the strict admission criteria of the Leading Medicine Guide.
