Hip Replacement
Partial Hip Replacement in Surat
Partial hip replacement (hemiarthroplasty) at Vedaant Orthopaedic Center, Surat — most often used after a displaced hip fracture in an older patient.
In short: A partial hip replacement replaces only the ball of the hip joint and leaves the natural socket in place. It is used mainly after a displaced fracture of the femoral neck in an older patient, where the blood supply to the ball has been lost and fixing the fracture would be likely to fail.
Why the ball only
The femoral neck — the narrow section just below the ball of the hip — carries the vessels that supply blood to the femoral head. When it breaks and the fragments displace, those vessels are commonly torn. The bone may unite, but the ball itself can die and collapse over the following months.
That is the reasoning behind replacement rather than fixation in these fractures. Fixing a displaced femoral neck fracture in an older patient carries a substantial risk of the head collapsing later, which means a second operation. Replacing the ball at the outset avoids that.
The socket is left alone because, in an older patient whose socket cartilage is reasonably intact, there is no benefit in replacing it and a partial procedure is shorter and less demanding — which matters when a frail patient has just sustained a fracture.
Who it suits
- Displaced fracture of the femoral neck
- Older patients, typically with more modest walking demands
- A socket whose cartilage is still in reasonable condition
- Patients for whom a shorter operation is safer
- Some tumours or bone conditions affecting the femoral head only
Partial compared with total hip replacement
| Partial (hemiarthroplasty) | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| What is replaced | Ball only | Ball and socket |
| Main indication | Displaced femoral neck fracture | Arthritis, avascular necrosis |
| Operating time | Shorter | Longer |
| Typical patient | Older, lower demand | Wide range, often higher demand |
| Long-term concern | The natural socket can wear against the implant | Bearing wear over many years |
| Suitability if arthritis present | Poor — the arthritic socket stays painful | Appropriate |
Where the socket is already arthritic, a total replacement is generally preferred even after a fracture, since leaving a worn socket in place would leave pain behind.
Book an appointment
Hip fracture in the family? Early assessment matters.
Speak to the clinic directly. Open Monday to Saturday, and Sunday mornings.
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Why timing matters after a hip fracture
Hip fracture in an older adult is not only an orthopaedic problem — it is a medical event. Time spent immobile in bed brings chest infection, pressure sores, clots and rapid loss of muscle. The general principle is to get the patient medically fit and operated on promptly, then standing again quickly.
Delay is sometimes unavoidable where blood thinners must be managed or a medical problem stabilised. But delay is a cost to be minimised, not a neutral choice, and families should understand that the aim is to restore walking as quickly as it is safe to do so.
Recovery
| Stage | What to expect | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–2 | Pain from the surgery replaces fracture pain. Medical status monitored closely. | Sitting out of bed and standing with support, usually the day after surgery. |
| Week 1 | Focus on preventing chest infection, clots and pressure areas. | Assisted walking with a walker. Breathing and ankle exercises. |
| Week 2–6 | Wound healing; confidence returning gradually. | Increasing walking distance, often with continued support at home. |
| Month 3+ | Function generally settles near the pre-fracture level where recovery goes well. | Walking indoors and outdoors as strength allows. |
Recovery after a fracture depends heavily on how mobile and how well the patient was beforehand.
Risks
Alongside the general risks of hip surgery — infection, clots, dislocation and bleeding — partial replacement carries one specific longer-term issue: the metal ball articulates against natural cartilage, and over years that socket can wear and become painful. In an older, lower-demand patient this often never becomes relevant. In a younger or more active patient it is a reason to choose a total replacement instead.
Frequently asked questions
Why not just fix the fracture with screws?
Fixation is preferred for undisplaced fractures and in younger patients where preserving the natural head is worth the risk. In a displaced fracture in an older patient the blood supply is usually damaged, and fixation carries a high chance of the head collapsing and needing a second operation.
How quickly should hip fracture surgery happen?
As soon as the patient is medically fit. Prolonged bed rest brings chest infection, clots and muscle loss, so the aim is prompt surgery followed by early standing.
Will walking return to normal?
Many patients return close to their previous level, but that depends strongly on how mobile and how well they were before the fracture. Someone walking independently beforehand generally does better than someone already frail.
Can a partial hip replacement be converted to a total later?
Yes. If the natural socket wears and becomes painful over the years, the partial can be converted to a total replacement by adding a socket component.
Are the movement precautions the same as a total hip replacement?
Broadly yes. Avoiding deep bending, crossing the legs and twisting on the operated leg protects against dislocation while the soft tissues heal.
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.