Hip Replacement
Bilateral Hip Replacement in Surat
Replacing both hips at Vedaant Orthopaedic Center, Surat — common in avascular necrosis, and a decision driven by fitness rather than by the hips.
In short: Bilateral hip replacement means both hips are replaced, either in one anaesthetic or staged weeks apart. It arises most often in avascular necrosis, which frequently affects both sides in younger patients. Simultaneous surgery means one recovery; staged surgery is safer where there is any medical concern.
Why both hips so often
Bilateral hip disease has a different profile from bilateral knee disease. Knee arthritis affecting both sides is usually wear accumulated over decades. Both hips failing together more often points to a systemic cause.
- Avascular necrosis is the commonest reason. Whatever compromises the blood supply — steroid treatment, alcohol, sickle cell disease, or no identifiable cause — tends to affect both femoral heads. It also affects younger adults, so patients presenting with two failing hips are often in their thirties or forties.
- Ankylosing spondylitis and inflammatory arthritis attack both hips as part of a systemic disease.
- Childhood hip conditions may have been bilateral from the start.
This matters practically: a bilateral hip patient is often young, otherwise fit, and severely limited — which makes simultaneous surgery more attractive than it would be in an older bilateral knee patient.
Simultaneous or staged?
| Both in one sitting | Staged | |
|---|---|---|
| Anaesthetics | One | Two |
| Total recovery time | Shorter overall | Longer overall |
| Blood loss | Higher in one episode | Split across two |
| Early mobilising | Harder — no unaffected side | Easier |
| Leg length matching | Both set in one sitting, easier to balance | Second hip matched to the first |
| Best suited to | Younger, fit patients with both hips equally affected | Older patients, or any cardiac, respiratory or haemoglobin concern |
One underrated advantage of simultaneous surgery: leg length is easier to balance when both hips are reconstructed in the same sitting, rather than matching a second hip to one done months earlier.
Who is suitable for both at once
- Good general health with no significant heart or lung disease
- Both hips similarly and severely affected
- Acceptable haemoglobin, since blood loss is greater
- Younger physiological age, though not a fixed cut-off
- Good upper body strength for transfers when neither leg is spared
- Reliable support at home for the early weeks
Book an appointment
Both hips affected? Find out which approach fits.
Speak to the clinic directly. Open Monday to Saturday, and Sunday mornings.
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Recovery
| Stage | What to expect | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–3 | The hardest phase — neither leg is unaffected. Haemoglobin monitored. | Transfers and standing with a walker and physiotherapy support. |
| Week 1–2 | Fatigue is normal; the body is healing two major joints. | Short indoor walks with a walker. Hip precautions on both sides. |
| Week 3–6 | Strength returning on both sides together. | Support reduced to sticks, then none as balance allows. |
| Month 3 | Function often improves faster than expected once past the early phase. | Driving, desk work, walking without aids for most patients. |
| Month 6+ | Both hips settled, with no imbalance between a new and an old joint. | Walking, swimming, cycling. High-impact activity discouraged. |
Younger bilateral hip patients frequently report a larger overall change than knee replacement patients, because both limiting joints are addressed together.
Additional risks
- Greater blood loss across two joints, requiring careful pre-operative haemoglobin assessment.
- Higher cardiovascular demand in one operative episode.
- Harder early mobilisation, since neither leg can be favoured.
- Dislocation precautions on both sides at once, which restricts more daily positions.
- The standard risks of hip replacement, applying to both hips.
Frequently asked questions
Why do both my hips have avascular necrosis?
Because the causes are usually systemic — steroid treatment, alcohol, sickle cell disease, or idiopathic. Whatever affects the blood supply to one femoral head commonly affects the other, which is why bilateral disease is typical.
Am I too young for hip replacement?
Age alone is not a bar, particularly where avascular necrosis has already collapsed the femoral head and there is no joint left to preserve. Younger patients should understand they may need revision later in life.
Is doing both at once safe?
For selected fit patients, yes. It requires acceptable haemoglobin, no significant heart or lung disease, and good support at home. Otherwise staging is safer.
How far apart are staged operations?
Commonly a few weeks to a few months, so the first hip has recovered enough to support rehabilitation of the second.
Will my legs end up the same length?
Leg length is checked during surgery. Doing both hips in one sitting can make balancing easier, since both are set against each other rather than matching an existing replacement.
Related treatments
Visit the clinic
Vedaant Orthopaedic CenterUG/9B Galloping Corridor, GD Goenka School Road
(Canal Road – VIP Road)
Surat, Gujarat 395007
| Monday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Thursday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Friday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:00 am – 8:00 pm |
| Sunday | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm |
Medically reviewed by Dr Dev Padia, MS Ortho (USA)
Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon, Vedaant Orthopaedic Center, Surat.
Last reviewed:
The information on this website is for general guidance and does not replace a personal medical consultation. Please consult a qualified doctor about your own symptoms.