Partial hip replacement is a more limited operation than a total hip replacement, and it has a specific job. Understanding when it is the right choice — and when it is the wrong one — matters, because the two operations are not interchangeable.
Dr. Sunil Choudhary, FRCS (Trauma & Orthopaedics). This page explains what partial hip replacement in Faridabad involves and who genuinely benefits from it.
What partial hip replacement is
In a partial hip replacement, also called a hip hemiarthroplasty, only the ball of the hip joint — the femoral head — is replaced. A metal stem is inserted into the thigh bone carrying a prosthetic head, and this new head articulates directly against your own natural socket, which is left in place.
In a total hip replacement, both sides are resurfaced: the ball is replaced and the socket is lined with a prosthetic cup.
Who partial hip replacement is for
The principal indication is a displaced fracture of the femoral neck in an older adult. When this fracture displaces, the blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted and the head will not heal reliably — so it is replaced rather than fixed.
As a best partial hip replacement surgeon in Faridabad would assess it, hemiarthroplasty is generally chosen over total hip replacement when the patient:
- Is older, typically beyond their mid-seventies
- Had limited mobility demands before the injury
- Has a healthy, non-arthritic socket
- Has cognitive impairment or other factors increasing dislocation risk
- Would benefit from a shorter, less physiologically demanding operation
Who should have a total hip replacement instead
This distinction is important enough to state plainly. If your hip pain is caused by arthritis, you need a total hip replacement, not a partial one. In arthritis the socket cartilage is already worn, and placing a metal head against a worn socket produces ongoing groin pain and early failure.
Similarly, a fitter and more active older patient with a femoral neck fracture — someone walking independently outdoors before the injury — generally achieves better function and higher satisfaction with a total hip replacement, and current evidence supports that.
The procedure and recovery
The operation usually takes 45 to 60 minutes, commonly under spinal anaesthesia. The fractured head is removed, the femoral canal prepared, and a stem with a prosthetic head implanted — cemented fixation is often preferred in elderly bone.
The priority afterwards is immediate mobilisation. Patients are stood and walked with a frame on day one wherever possible, because immobility after a hip fracture is what causes the serious complications. Most are discharged within three to five days to continue rehabilitation.
Why timing matters so much in hip fracture
A displaced femoral neck fracture in an older person should be treated surgically within 24 to 48 hours wherever the patient is medically fit. Every day of delay increases the risk of chest infection, pressure sores, urinary infection, blood clots and confusion. If a family member has fractured a hip, this is a situation where urgency genuinely matters. Fracture and bone injury care
Why Choose Dr. Sunil Choudhary Clinic for Partial Hip Replacement in Faridabad?
Before undergoing partial hip replacement surgery, your physician will have to determine the cause of your hip fracture. Knowing the type and severity of the fracture can help the doctor determine the dangers and complications and decide whether surgery for a partial replacement of the hip would be the appropriate procedure for you. Here are a few tests for diagnosing the fracture that can be performed:
Physical Exam: The doctor will look at the leg and hip for irregularities. The hip is aching or difficulty moving are indicators of a fracture.
X-rays are mostly utilized to verify that a hip fracture has occurred. It will determine where the fracture took place and how severe it is.
MRI scan. If an X-ray doesn’t indicate a fracture, yet you still feel pain in your hip, then an MRI (or bone scan) might be recommended. These scans may reveal hairline fractures that might not be apparent in an image.
Frequently asked questions
Is a partial hip replacement a smaller operation than a total?
Yes — shorter operating time, less blood loss and less physiological stress, which is exactly why it is favoured in frail elderly patients. But “smaller” only helps if it is the right operation for the problem.
Can a partial hip replacement be converted to a total one later?
Yes. If the natural socket wears against the metal head over time and becomes painful, the hemiarthroplasty can be converted to a total hip replacement. This is one reason it is less suitable for younger, more active patients.
How long does it last?
In the elderly, lower-demand population it is designed for, a hemiarthroplasty generally lasts for the patient’s remaining lifetime. In younger or more active patients, socket wear can cause problems within a few years.
Will my parent walk again after a hip fracture?
Most patients who were walking before the fracture do walk again, though many need a stick or frame afterwards. Early surgery, early mobilisation and good rehabilitation are the three things that most influence this.
Where is hip fracture surgery performed in Faridabad?
At the Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Sector 21A — the partial hip replacement clinic in Faridabad for emergency and planned hip fracture surgery, with 24-hour admission for acute fractures.
At Dr. Sunil Choudhary’s Clinic, we specialize in providing personalized and advanced hip replacement solutions to address our patients’ unique needs. Our expertise in partial hip replacement ensures that elderly patients with femoral neck fractures receive optimal care and improved mobility for a better quality of life. Rest assured, your joint health is in the hands of a skilled and compassionate team dedicated to delivering the best possible outcomes.
Author & Medical Review
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sunil Choudhary, MBBS, MS, DNB, MRCS, FRCS (Tr & Orth).
