How Much Does a Hip Replacement Cost Privately?

Some insurance might not fully cover hip replacement surgeries. Hence, the need to ask, “how much does a hip replacement cost privately?” First, we will discuss the hip joint, the reasons for a replacement, and the types available.

The hip joint is a joint that connects the femur to the pelvis. The head of the femur fits into the acetabulum (socket) of the hip bone. This joint is kept steady by muscles, ligaments, and tendons which surround the joint. The hip joint is the most movable joint in the human body. 

In a hip replacement, an individual has damaged sections of their hip joints replaced with parts constructed from metal, ceramic, or very hard plastic. This procedure is done in the hospital by an orthopedic surgeon. The surgery is done to reduce the pain in the joint and improve functionality. The surgery is usually performed on aged patients after other alternative treatments like physical therapy, canes, or walkers do not work.

What are the reasons for hip replacement surgeries?

Hip replacement surgeries may be recommended in the following conditions:

• Osteoarthritis
• Trauma and injuries like fractures or dislocations
• Neoplasms
• Inflammatory arthritis
• Hip dysplasia
• Osteonecrosis
• Fractures or injuries that did not mend right

What are the types of hip replacement?

The two major types of hip replacements that exist are:

• Total hip replacement – It is the commonest type of hip replacement. It removes and replaces both the head of the femur and the acetabulum with a prosthesis.
• Partial hip replacement – This type of replacement replaces the femoral head only. It is usually done in patients with a specific type of hip fracture.

What are the symptoms signifying the need for hip replacement?

Some of the following symptoms may be experienced in situations where hip replacement is needed. They include:

• Pain in the butt
• Pain in the groin and hip
• Stiffness of the hip
• Difficulty walking
• Difficulty with physical activities
• Loss of motion
• Pain with minimal physical activities
• Difficulty in sleeping

What are the risks of hip replacement?

Some of the risks which are associated with this surgery include:

• Blood clots – These can form after the surgery. It can be really dangerous as a piece of the clot can break off, forming an embolus which can cause stroke or necrosis when it obstructs the flow of blood. Placing the patient on blood thinners eliminates the risk.
• Fracture – This may happen during the surgery when some portions of the hip joint may fracture. The fractures may be small enough that they heal on their own or big enough to need stabilizing with wires and screws.
• Dislocation – This might happen after the surgery when the ball of the new joint pops out of the socket, especially during the first few months after the surgery. A brace can help keep it in position. If that does not work, surgery may be required.
• Change in the length – Sometimes, after the surgery, the new joint may make one leg shorter than the other. This may be caused by the contraction of the muscles surrounding the joint and can be corrected by the progressive stretching of the muscles.
• Nerve damage – This is rare but happens in some cases where the nerves surrounding the area of surgery are damaged. It can lead to numbness, weakness, and pain around the affected area.
• Loosening – It may happen when the new joint is not firmly fixed or when they tend to loosen over time. This loosening tends to cause pain in the hip and it can be corrected through surgery.
• Infection – This can occur at the site of the surgical incision or in the deeper tissues surrounding the new hip. Most infections are handled with antibiotics, but some that occur near the new hip may require surgery to remove and replace the affected parts.

How Much Does a Hip Replacement Cost Privately?

The cost of a private hip replacement varies depending on the country, the region, and the hospital where the surgery is carried out. The range of prices can be 10k-20k dollars or more. The prices may also vary depending on what is included in the treatment package. Some of the variables that may be included are:

• Anesthetics
• Consultation
• Prescription medication
• Wound dressing and equipment
• Physiotherapy
• All the tests required throughout the duration of the stay
• Post-operative appointments
• Any overnight stay that may be required

Who is not eligible for hip replacement surgery?

The surgery is not suitable for everybody. Hip replacement surgery is not an automatic solution for all cases of hip pain and immobility; some individuals may not qualify for the surgery. Some of these include:

• People with any active and ongoing infection
• People that are morbidly obese
• People with immature skeletons
• People with muscle weakness
• Paraplegics or quadriplegics

What are the benefits of hip replacement surgery?

Relief from constant pain is the major benefit that is achieved with hip replacement surgery. The other advantages of the surgery include:

• Improved joint strength
• Improved mobility of the joint
• Improved torso and leg coordination
• Ability to engage in physical activities

Results 

Full recovery from hip replacement surgery varies from person to person. On average, after three months of surgery, most people are usually doing very well. Improvements progressively continue during the first year after the surgery. The new hip usually reduces the pain significantly and increases the range of motion of the joint, but not as much as was possible before the surgery. 

High-impact activities like running, jumping, and physical sports may prove to be too strenuous on the new hip joint. But with time, most individuals can participate in activities that are not too demanding, like swimming. Daily activity and exercise can help the individual regain the use of the joint gradually. A physical therapist can also recommend activities and exercises that may help in strengthening and mobility of the joint. They can also help the individual gradually learn how to use walking aid like canes, walkers, or crutches. As the therapy increases, the amount of weight that the individual can put on the leg gradually increases until they can walk without assistance.