Hip osteoarthritis: total replacement and anterior approach

Cartilage deterioration in the hip from severe osteoarthritis causes disabling groin pain, morning stiffness and progressive loss of independence. When pain appears at rest or at night and radiographs show complete joint space loss, replacement is the treatment of choice.

Total arthroplasty replaces the joint components with titanium stems and ceramic or highly cross-linked polyethylene bearing surfaces that resist wear. The anterior approach avoids cutting major muscle groups, allowing walking within 24 hours and markedly faster functional recovery.

Modern implants last more than 15 to 20 years in 95% of patients. Main risks are deep vein thrombosis, periprosthetic infection and early dislocation, and precisely because of thrombotic risk, prophylaxis must be planned and flying should not be too early. Subsequent physiotherapy is not optional: it determines the final result.

India and Thailand attract Western patients through their orthopaedic surgeons' vast experience and low costs. Poland is a highly reliable intra-European destination, with private clinics that remove public waiting lists. The range is EUR 5,000 to 12,000, with ten to fourteen day stays.

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