Hip replacement surgery at Cheema Medical Complex, Mohali
A hip replacement removes the worn ball and socket of a painful hip and replaces them with artificial parts that move smoothly. For people whose hip arthritis has taken away their walking, their sleep and their independence, it is one of the most successful operations in modern medicine. Most patients have far less pain and move much better once they recover.
At Cheema Medical Complex (CMC Hospital), the orthopaedic department works inside a multispeciality hospital that has served Mohali since 1988. You have 24/7 emergency care, X-ray and CT scan, a pathology lab, a pharmacy and in-house physiotherapy under one roof, on Mohali Stadium Road in Phase 4, Sector 59. Patients come to us from across Mohali and from Chandigarh, Zirakpur, Kharar and Panchkula.
How the hip joint wears out
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The ball at the top of the thigh bone (femoral head) sits in a cup in the pelvis (acetabulum), and both are covered in smooth cartilage. When that cartilage wears away, bone rubs on bone. That causes pain, stiffness and a limp.
Common reasons for hip replacement include:
- Osteoarthritis: gradual wear of the joint, the most common cause in older adults.
- Avascular necrosis (AVN): loss of blood supply to the ball of the hip, which collapses over time. It often affects younger adults, and is linked to long-term steroid use, alcohol and some injuries.
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthritis.
- Hip fractures in older patients, especially fractures of the neck of the femur after a fall.
- Arthritis after an old injury or a childhood hip problem.
Signs you may need a hip replacement
- Pain in the groin, the side of the hip, the buttock or the front of the thigh. Hip pain is sometimes felt in the knee.
- Difficulty walking more than a short distance, or a limp.
- Trouble putting on shoes and socks, cutting toenails or getting in and out of a car.
- Stiffness after sitting, and pain that wakes you at night.
- Medicines, physiotherapy and a walking stick no longer give enough relief.
- X-rays show the joint space has gone or the ball has collapsed.
Not everyone with hip pain needs surgery. Early arthritis and some causes of hip pain, such as tendon or back problems, are treated without an operation. The first step is a proper examination.
Your consultation
The orthopaedic OPD at Cheema Medical Complex runs Monday to Saturday, 10:30 am to 5:00 pm. Call 8054922340 to book.
At your visit the surgeon will ask how the hip affects your daily life, examine how it moves, check your spine and knee, and look at X-rays of the pelvis and hip. If needed, an MRI or CT scan may be advised, for example to look for early AVN. You will hear whether replacement is right now, or whether other treatment should come first.
Bring old X-rays, MRI reports, your medicine list and reports of any heart, kidney, lung or diabetes treatment.
Types of hip replacement
Total hip replacement (THR)
Both the ball and the socket are replaced. A metal stem is placed inside the thigh bone, topped with a ball, and a cup lined with plastic or ceramic is fitted into the pelvis. This is the standard operation for arthritis and AVN.
Partial hip replacement (hemiarthroplasty)
Only the ball is replaced. It is mostly used for certain hip fractures in older patients.
Cemented and uncemented implants
Implants can be fixed with bone cement or pressed into the bone so it grows onto the surface. The choice depends on your age, bone quality and the surgeon’s judgement.
Implant brands and bearing surfaces (for example ceramic or metal heads) vary. Ask during your consultation which implants are available at CMC and why the surgeon recommends one for you.
Before surgery
- Blood tests, ECG and chest X-ray at the hospital.
- A fitness check by the physician and the anaesthesia team, especially if you have diabetes, blood pressure, heart or kidney problems.
- Good control of blood sugar, and advice about blood thinners and other medicines.
- Getting your home ready: a firm chair with arms, a raised toilet seat or commode, a walker, and clear floors without loose rugs.
The operation
Hip replacement is usually done under spinal anaesthesia, sometimes with sedation or general anaesthesia. The operation usually takes one to two hours. The surgeon removes the damaged ball and prepares the socket, fits trial parts to check leg length, stability and movement, and then fixes the final implants.
Pain relief starts in the theatre and continues on the ward, so you can begin moving early.
Recovery and physiotherapy
| Time after surgery | What most patients do |
|---|---|
| Day 1 to 2 | Stand and walk a few steps with a walker, start hip and ankle exercises |
| Before going home | Walk with a walker, climb a few steps, get in and out of bed safely |
| 2 weeks | Wound check, walking longer distances at home |
| 4 to 6 weeks | Moving to a stick, then walking unaided for many patients |
| 3 months | Most daily activities, longer walks, often back to light work |
| 6 to 12 months | Final result |
These are typical timings, not guarantees. Your physiotherapist will teach you how to sit, stand, use the toilet and climb stairs safely, and which positions to avoid while the hip heals. Daily exercises make the biggest difference to how well and how quickly you recover.
Risks
Hip replacement is common and well established, but every operation carries some risk. Your surgeon will explain:
- Infection
- Blood clots in the legs, lowered with medicines and early walking
- Dislocation of the new hip, most likely in the first weeks
- A difference in leg length
- Loosening or wear of the implant over many years
Controlling diabetes, stopping smoking, following the precautions and coming to your follow-up visits all lower these risks.
Hip fractures in older patients
A fall that breaks the hip is an emergency, especially for elderly patients. The Cheema Medical Complex emergency is open 24 hours. Depending on the type of fracture, the surgeon may fix the bone with screws, a nail or a plate, or replace part or all of the hip so the patient can get out of bed quickly. Getting up early after hip fracture surgery lowers the risk of pneumonia, clots and bedsores. Read more about fracture and trauma care.
Life after a hip replacement
Most people go back to walking, travel, prayer and household work, and many return to swimming, cycling or golf. Ask your surgeon before high-impact sports. You will have regular check-ups so the implant can be watched over the years.
If your knee is also painful, read about knee replacement surgery. Younger patients with groin pain from a sports injury may need a different assessment altogether; see arthroscopy and sports injury care.
Why Cheema Medical Complex
- Consultation, tests, surgery, physiotherapy and follow-up in one hospital.
- A multispeciality team for patients with diabetes, heart, kidney or lung conditions.
- 24/7 emergency for hip fractures and any concern after surgery.
- On Mohali Stadium Road in Phase 4, a short drive from Chandigarh, Zirakpur and Kharar.
- A hospital families have trusted since 1988.
The orthopaedic surgeon is Dr. Gaurav Jain, MBBS, MS (Orthopaedics), FISM (Spain), who handles joint replacement, trauma, sports injuries and spine problems.
Book a hip consultation
Call 8054922340 or book an appointment online. Bring your X-rays and medicine list, and you will leave with a clear plan.