Patients in Lahore often ask what happens during hip replacement. This guide explains the full pathway in clear steps. It follows current guidance that top centers use today. It also reflects the approach used by Dr. Imran Salim Malik, an orthopedic surgeon in Lahore who treats hip and knee arthritis and complex injuries.
When do Surgeons Advise Total Hip Replacement?
Doctors plan total hip replacement when arthritis or damage limits daily life and non-surgical care no longer helps. The goal is to remove the painful joint surfaces and replace them with smooth and durable parts so you can move with less pain.
Step-by-step Plan before the Operation
Your team reviews your medical history and medicines. They examine your hip and take X-rays. Sometimes they order MRI or CT scans for planning. They also guide skin care and dental timing. Weight control and stopping smoking can lower infection risk. Simple home changes and pre-op exercises prepare you for recovery. Plan for a ride home after surgery.
On the day of Surgery
You receive either spinal anesthesia with local infiltration analgesia or general anesthesia with local infiltration. A nerve block that does not weaken muscles may also be used. To limit blood loss, the team gives tranexamic acid during surgery. The operating room uses ultra-clean airflow, and staff follow strict infection-prevention steps.
How surgeons perform total hip replacement
1) Incision and approach
The surgeon reaches the joint using a posterior or anterolateral approach. Both are proven options in modern practice. Choice depends on your anatomy and prior scars and surgeon preference.
2) Remove the damaged ball
The surgeon dislocates the joint and removes the diseased femoral head. They prepare the femur and insert a metal stem inside the thigh bone. The stem is either cemented into place or press-fit so bone can grow onto it. A metal or ceramic ball locks onto the stem.
3) Prepare and fit the socket
The surgeon reshapes the socket and inserts a metal cup. Screws or bone cement may secure the cup. A liner made of durable plastic or ceramic snaps into the cup to create a smooth surface.
4) Trial parts and balance
Trial parts test stability and soft-tissue tension and leg length. The team checks range of motion and ensures the hip stays stable in common positions. Final components replace the trials once fit and balance are confirmed.
5) Close and dress
The team irrigates the wound and completes tranexamic acid dosing if planned. They close tissues in layers and place a dressing to protect the incision. You transfer to recovery, where nurses track comfort and circulation.
Modern Options Your Surgeon May Use
Dual mobility cups can lower dislocation risk in patients at higher risk of instability. Surgeons select them when the risk profile supports the choice. Computer navigation or robotic assistance can improve cup and stem positioning and may reduce outliers. Studies show gains in component accuracy while long-term outcome benefits are still being studied.
Enhanced recovery and same-day pathways focus on spinal anesthesia, multimodal pain relief, and tranexamic acid. Early feeding and early walking help recovery. Many patients can go home the same day or the next day.
Modern bearing surfaces like highly cross-linked polyethylene with metal or ceramic heads resist wear. They support long implant life when used with proper alignment and activity choices.
What Happens Right after Surgery?
Physiotherapy starts the same day or within 24 hours. You practice transfers and walking with support and home exercises. Education covers wound care, safe movements, and the home plan.
Recovery timeline you can expect
You walk with a walker or crutches within hours. Most patients move to a cane over the next 1–3 weeks. Keep doing your home program daily for strength and balance. Many people resume driving at about six weeks once cleared by the surgeon and able to perform an emergency stop. Desk work often begins around six weeks and more physical work takes longer. Full benefit builds over 3–6 months and improvements may continue up to a year.
Risks and how the team lowers them
Every surgery carries risks such as blood clots, infection, dislocation, leg-length difference, fracture, and nerve injury. Your team lowers these risks through:
- Blood clot prevention: Early walking and calf pumps and compression devices and medicine. Many centers use low-dose aspirin after hip replacement for typical-risk patients while higher-risk patients may need anticoagulants.
- Infection prevention: Timed antibiotics, ultra-clean operating rooms, and strict sterile steps.
- Dislocation prevention: Careful component placement and soft-tissue repai,r and patient coaching on safe positions during early healing.
- Blood loss control: Tranexamic acid and modern anesthesia strategies.
Care with Dr. Imran Salim Malik in Lahore
Dr. Imran Salim Malik treats hip arthritis with evidence-based methods and a clear rehab plan. He also offers knee replacement, spine surgeries, ACL reconstruction, minimally invasive fracture fixation, and pain management. You get clear guidance from your first visit to full recovery. To discuss your case, book an appointment today.
Conclusion
Total hip replacement is a safe and well-planned procedure that helps restore mobility and reduce pain. With proper preparation and care from skilled surgeons, most patients return to normal activities and enjoy long-term benefits.