About Hip Replacement
Key Highlights
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Significant and lasting relief from chronic hip pain.Restoration of mobility, range of motion, and function.Improved ability to perform daily activities and enjoy an active lifestyle.High success rate with modern, durable prosthetic materials.Potential for minimally invasive techniques for faster initial recovery.Correction of joint deformity and improved leg alignment./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) causing pain unresponsive to medication.
- Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory arthritis damaging the hip joint.
- Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis) where bone tissue in the femoral head dies.
- Hip fractures, especially in older adults (e.g., femoral neck fracture).
- Congenital hip disorders or dysplasia that lead to early joint deterioration.
- Persistent hip pain that severely limits walking, bending, or sleeping.
- Failure of previous, less invasive surgical treatments.
How to prepare
- Complete a thorough medical evaluation, including blood tests, ECG, and imaging (X-rays, MRI).
- Discuss all current medications with your surgeon; you may need to stop certain blood thinners.
- Begin pre-operative physical therapy to strengthen muscles around the hip.
- Arrange for post-surgery support at home, including help with daily tasks.
- Prepare your living space by removing tripping hazards and setting up a recovery area.
- Follow fasting instructions (typically no food or drink after midnight before surgery).
- Undergo screening for any active infections that need treatment prior to surgery.
Risks & possible complications
- Infection at the surgical site or deep within the new joint.
- Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism).
- Dislocation of the new hip joint, especially in the early recovery period.
- Leg length discrepancy, though surgeons take measures to minimize this.
- Loosening or wear of the prosthetic components over many years.
- Nerve or blood vessel damage near the surgical site.
- Allergic reaction to the implant materials (rare).
- Anesthesia-related risks.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay typically involves pain management, IV antibiotics, and beginning physical therapy.
- Use of a walker or crutches initially, progressing to a cane as strength improves.
- Strict adherence to hip precautions (avoiding bending past 90 degrees, crossing legs) for 6-12 weeks to prevent dislocation.
- A structured physical therapy program is crucial to regain strength, flexibility, and gait.
- Wound care instructions to keep the incision clean and dry until fully healed.
- Gradual return to light activities; high-impact sports are usually not recommended.
- Follow-up appointments with the surgeon to monitor healing and implant function.
- Long-term, maintaining a healthy weight and staying active helps prolong the life of the implant.
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Typical hospital stay: 3-5 days
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Expected recovery time: 3-6 months for full functional recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering hip replacement in South Korea, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in South Korea with orthopedics departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform hip replacement. MediFyr helps you compare orthopedists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for hip replacement compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | USD 4,725 – USD 11,340 | 3-5 days | ~ 3-6 months for full functional recovery | Know More |
| Thailand | USD 4,800 – USD 13,440 | 3-5 days | ~ 3-6 months for full functional recovery | Know More |
| South Korea | USD 4,800 – USD 13,440 | 3-5 days | ~ 3-6 months for full functional recovery | Know More |
| India | USD 2,728 – USD 6,546 | 3-5 days | ~ 3-6 months for full functional recovery | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 20,154 – USD 48,371 | 3-5 days | ~ 3-6 months for full functional recovery | Know More |
Had my gallbladder out at MGM....
Had my gallbladder out at MGM. Dr. Vinod was really clear about what to expect after. The first couple days were rough, I won't lie, but his team had a good plan for the pain that actually worked. Follow-up was simple, he just told me to take it easy and call if anything felt off. Felt normal again quicker than I thought.