Hip replacement has a reputation among surgeons as one of the most reliable operations in medicine, and that reputation is deserved. For a worn-out hip it predictably removes pain and returns people to walking, working and sleeping properly.
If you are considering hip replacement surgery in Faridabad, the questions worth asking are whether your hip is actually the source of your pain, whether you have reached the point where replacement is justified, and — if you are younger — whether the joint can still be saved instead.
Dr. Sunil Choudhary, FRCS (Trauma & Orthopaedics), trained in hip and lower-limb reconstruction in the UK NHS and practising at the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad.
Signs that your hip needs replacing
- Groin pain that is now constant rather than activity-related
- Pain at night and difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position
- Struggling to put on socks and shoes, or to cut your own toenails
- A limp that persists even on good days
- Walking distance steadily shrinking
- Stiffness making it difficult to get in and out of a car
- X-rays showing loss of joint space with bone touching bone
Conditions we treat with hip replacement
- Osteoarthritis — age-related and post-traumatic wear of the joint surface
- Avascular necrosis of the femoral head — loss of blood supply leading to collapse of the ball of the hip
- Rheumatoid and inflammatory arthritis
- Displaced femoral neck fractures in older adults, where the blood supply to the head is compromised
- Hip dysplasia causing premature arthritis
- Failed previous hip surgery requiring conversion to a replacement
Avascular necrosis — why early diagnosis changes everything
Avascular necrosis (AVN) deserves separate attention because it affects a much younger group — commonly people in their thirties and forties — and because what can be done about it depends entirely on how early it is caught.
Before the femoral head collapses, core decompression can relieve pressure, improve blood flow and in many cases halt progression, preserving your own hip. Once collapse has occurred, replacement becomes the dependable option.
AVN is associated with prolonged steroid treatment, significant alcohol intake, sickle cell disease, and previous hip trauma or dislocation. Crucially, early AVN can be invisible on X-ray and requires an MRI to diagnose. If you have persistent groin pain with any of those risk factors and a normal X-ray, ask specifically for an MRI.
What happens during hip replacement surgery
The damaged femoral head is removed and replaced with a smooth prosthetic ball mounted on a stem that sits inside the thigh bone. The worn socket is prepared and a cup, usually with a hard-wearing liner, is fitted into the pelvis. The two articulate as a new, smooth, pain-free joint.
Surgery typically takes 60 to 90 minutes, most often under spinal anaesthesia. Patients usually stand and walk with support within 24 hours and go home after two to three days.
Implant choice, bearing surfaces and fixation
Two decisions matter. Fixation — cemented implants achieve immediate fixation and suit older patients and softer bone; uncemented implants rely on bone growing onto a textured surface and suit younger patients with good bone quality. Bearing surface — the combination of ball and liner material determines wear rate, and therefore how long the replacement is likely to last. Younger, more active patients generally receive a harder-wearing bearing.
I will explain which combination I have planned for you, and why, before your surgery. Robotic assistance is available for selected cases.
Recovery after hip replacement — a realistic timeline
Day 0 to Day 3
Standing and walking with a frame, usually the same day. Hip precautions explained. Discharge typically on day two or three.
Week 1 to Week 3
Walking indoors with sticks. Wound review around day 12 to 14. Most patients are noticeably more comfortable than before surgery by this stage, because the arthritic pain has gone.
Week 3 to Week 6
Progressing to one stick and then none. Driving usually possible around week four to six. Return to desk work in this window.
Week 6 to Month 6
Hip precautions relaxed in most cases around six to twelve weeks. Walking distance and strength build steadily. Swimming and cycling are excellent at this stage.
Beyond six months
Most patients regard the hip as normal. Low-impact activity is encouraged indefinitely; running and jumping sports are not advised.
Can I sit cross-legged or squat after a hip replacement?
This matters a great deal to patients in India and is often answered carelessly. In the first six to twelve weeks, deep hip flexion combined with rotation carries a genuine dislocation risk and should be avoided. After that, many patients do return to sitting cross-legged — how reliably depends on the surgical approach, the implant, the head size and your own soft tissue recovery.
If floor-sitting is essential for your daily life or your prayer routine, say so at your first consultation. It influences which approach and which implant I choose.
Risks and how we minimise them
- Dislocation — reduced by correct component positioning, appropriate head size and following precautions early on
- Infection — minimised by pre-operative screening, diabetes control, laminar-flow theatre and prophylactic antibiotics
- Blood clots — reduced by early mobilisation and prophylaxis
- Leg length difference — small differences are common and usually unnoticed; planning and intra-operative measurement keep this minimal
- Loosening or wear — a long-term consideration managed by revision hip replacement if needed
- Nerve injury — rare
Hip replacement cost in Faridabad
The price depends on whether the surgery is primary or revision, the implant and bearing selected, fixation type, room category, length of stay and your medical complexity. Cashless treatment is available with most major insurers and TPAs at the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, which functions as our hip replacement clinic in Faridabad for surgery. Bring your policy to the consultation for a written estimate and pre-authorisation.
Trusted and Best Hip Replacement Doctor in Faridabad
The hip replacement procedure isn’t just reserved for those with arthritis. It’s also frequently performed on those who have suffered from extreme hip pain, age, degenerative, or joint disorders. Trauma to the hip from accidents or falls could cause dislocations or fractures that could require an operation to replace the hip. Similar to aging-related wear and tear can cause damage to the hip joint with time, causing chronic pain and impairment.
For those affected by age or trauma, the hip replacement procedure offers an opportunity to restore the independence they once enjoyed and lead an active lifestyle. Dr. Sunil Choudhary’s experience with both cases of trauma and hip degeneration makes him a sought-after surgeon for these issues.
Meet Dr. Sunil Choudhary, the Best Total Hip Replacement Surgeon in Faridabad
As a Senior Consultant & Head Orthopedics at Asian Hospital, Faridabad, Dr. Sunil Choudhary is an award-winning, gold medalist Orthopedic Surgeon with over 20 years of experience and expertise in performing more than 15,000 orthopedic procedures. His compassionate care, constant communication, and patient-centric approach ensure you are in the safest hands.
Move Better, Feel Better, Live Better: Contact us today to know more or book an appointment with Dr. Sunil Choudhary. Experience the best in orthopedic care at our clinic and regain mobility while alleviating hip pain for a better quality of life.
Frequently asked questions about hip replacement
Is hip replacement more or less painful than knee replacement?
Most patients who have had both find hip replacement the easier recovery. The hip is a deeper joint with more muscle cover and tends to settle faster, and stiffness is much less of a problem than it is in the knee.
How long will a hip replacement last?
Registry data shows a large majority of modern hip replacements still functioning at fifteen to twenty years, and many considerably longer. Your age at surgery, weight, activity level and bearing surface all influence this.
I am 38 with avascular necrosis. Do I have to have a replacement?
Not necessarily, and this is exactly the situation where a second opinion is worth getting. If the femoral head has not yet collapsed, core decompression may preserve your own hip for years. If it has collapsed, replacement is usually right — but it should be planned with your age in mind, including the bearing surface chosen.
When can I return to work?
Desk-based work: typically four to six weeks. Work involving standing, walking or driving: six to twelve weeks. Heavy manual work: three months or more, and worth discussing specifically before surgery.
My mother is 80 and has broken her hip. Should she have surgery at that age?
Almost certainly yes, and quickly. Non-operative management of a displaced hip fracture in an elderly patient means weeks of immobility, with a high risk of chest infection, pressure sores and clots. Surgery within 24 to 48 hours allows her to be sat up and mobilised.
Author & Medical Review
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sunil Choudhary, MBBS, MS, DNB, MRCS, FRCS (Tr & Orth).
