Mangalore : Joint Replacement Surgery involves replacing the diseased and damaged natural joint surfaces with an artificial one, said Senior Consultant Surgeons- Dr. Shantharam Shetty.

Removal of the old implant (explantation)

He was speaking at the press meet held at Tejaswini Hospital after successfully completing a hip-revision surgery for a 57 year old patient in the hospital. He also said that Dr. Ajit Kumar assisted him in his surgery.
Explaining the procedure of the surgery, he said that Hip-revision surgery, also known as Total Hip Arthoplasty is a procedure in which an older artificial hip joint is replaced with a new prosthesis. The surgery is usually done when the previously implanted prosthesis loosens breaks or dislocates due to the wear and tear caused by intense physical activity. There are nearly 10,000 primary hip-replacement surgeries conducted in a year of these nearly 5% require revisions. This number however is on the rise owing to awareness, health conscious lifestyle and increased acceptance of surgeries among the general public.

Wornout or Loose implant - Revised prosthesis

This kind of surgery is done in 3-4 hospital in Mangalore. Earlier the surgery was done rare, but now it has been performed routinely.
Commenting on the significance of the surgery he said that said, “The average scenario of hip-revision surgeries as compared to primary hip-replacements surgeries is 1:20, making them rare and complex. However with advanced surgical techniques, evolving implant designs and materials customized to suit varied lifestyle and anatomic requirements of patients, the success rate of complex hip-replacement surgery has been optimal.” For this hip-revision surgery, the doctors have employed Solution, an implant that has over 25 years of clinical heritage and a track record of 95% success rates and is also widely acknowledged for its wide range of bearing material options available.
Post-operative care is highly essential and patients are required to follow the recommended rehabilitation and physiotherapy with utmost care to ensure healthier joints and longer lasting implants. People who undergo primary hip-replacements usually can walk on the first day after the operation. This however may differ depending on individual medical histories.
Patients undergoing hip replacements at a younger age would probably require a hip arthoplasty later as the lifespan of an implant is usually 10-15 years and will cost Rs 1 to one and half lakhs and we suggest poor people to do for Prime ministers fund. This lifespan varies from individual to individual depending on lifestyles and the amount of physical activity undertaken.
In this surgery the surface acts as lubrication. The patient realizes the need of surgery only when he finds pain, in his body. After the surgery, the patient starts walking in 10 days and it’s painless, he added.