Dr Kalpit Patel (MS Ortho, FRCS)

(Specialist Joint Replacement Surgeon)

Get to know about THR @ Our Center

A total hip replacement (THR) - also called a hip arthroplasty- is a surgical procedure that re-forms the hip joint.

What is Hip Replacement?

A total hip replacement (THR) - also called a hip arthroplasty- is a surgical procedure that re-forms the hip joint.

In THR, the head of the femur (the bone that extends from the hip to the knee) is removed along with the surface layer of the socket in the pelvis (the two large bones that rest on the lower limbs and support the spinal column).

  • The head of the femur, which is situated within the pelvis socket, is replaced with a metal ball and stem. This stem fits into the shaft of the femur.

  • The socket is replaced with a plastic or a metal and plastic cup.

For nearly a century, doctors have been putting various materials into diseased and painful hip joints to relieve pain. Up until the 1960s, outcomes had been unreliable. At that time, the metal ball and plastic socket for the replacement of the hip joint was introduced. Today, the artificial components used in THR are stronger and more designs are available.

There are many different shapes, sizes, and designs of artificial components of the hip joint. For the most part these are composed of chrome, cobalt, titanium, or ceramic materials. Some Specialist surgeon like
Dr. Kalpit Patel is also using custom-made components to improve the fit in the femur.

What is the artificial hip joint made up of?

Socket:made up of either only plastic (high density polyenthelence) or outer metal shell and inner linear of plastic,metal or ceramic
Stem & Ball: Made of strong stainless metal or ceramic for nearly a century,doctors have been putting various materials in to diseased and painful hip joint to relieve pain. Up until the 1960s, outcomes had been unreliable. At that time, the metal ball and plastic socket for the replacement of the hip joint was introduced.Today the artificial component used in THR are stronger and more designs are available.
our joint replacement surgeon takes into consideration many factor like your age,activity level, amount of hip damage and your bone quality to decide about best combination of the two artificial components.

What is the difference between cemented & cementless total hip replacement?

conventionally the hip prostheses is implanted into healthy portion of the pelvis and the thigh bone and fixed rigidly with help of a "glue like substance" called bone cement (methylmethacrylate). This construct function for 12-15 years after which time the cement starts crumbling and so its life span has this limitation.Alternatively a new hip prosthesis has been developed that does not require cement. This hip has the potential to allow bone to grow into it, and therefore can last longer than the cemented hip.This is an important consideration for the younger patient. In some cases, only one of the two components(socket or stem) may be fixed with cement and the other is cementless.This would be called a "Hybrid" hip hypothesis.

Facts About Total Hip Replacement

  • There are approximately 50,000 artificial hip joints implanted annually in the India, with the success rate over 98%.

  • At Our Naisarg Center individuals in need of hip replacement are in vast age range: 25 – 75 years

  • Dr Kalpit Patel prefers using latest materials (ceramics) in total hip replacement as they are very durable and are expected to last life-long.