Hip Replacement Surgery in Margao, Goa

When hip pain makes walking uncomfortable, disrupts your sleep or leaves you struggling with everyday activities, it may be time to understand whether your hip joint needs specialist treatment. At Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic in Margao, Dr. Amol Narkhede evaluates patients with advanced hip arthritis and other conditions that cause significant joint damage, helping them understand whether hip replacement is an appropriate option. With more than 16 years of experience in orthopaedics and over 1,500 hip replacements performed, Dr. Narkhede brings substantial surgical experience to the assessment of patients whose hip problems are affecting their mobility and quality of life.

Hip replacement is generally considered when damage to the hip joint causes persistent pain, stiffness and difficulty moving, and non-surgical treatments no longer provide sufficient relief.

The most common reason for hip replacement is osteoarthritis, a condition in which the cartilage cushioning the joint gradually deteriorates. As the damage progresses, movement can become increasingly painful and everyday activities more difficult.

You may want to discuss hip replacement with an orthopaedic surgeon if you experience:

• Persistent pain around the hip or groin that affects walking.
• Pain that spreads into the thigh or sometimes towards the knee.
• Stiffness that makes bending, putting on footwear or getting into a vehicle difficult.
• Difficulty walking even relatively short distances.
• Pain that disturbs your sleep or occurs while resting.
• Trouble standing up from a chair or climbing stairs.
• Increasing reliance on support when walking.
• Difficulty carrying out everyday activities despite medication or physiotherapy.
• Reduced independence because of ongoing hip pain.

These symptoms do not automatically mean you need surgery. Hip pain can have several causes, and replacement is considered only when the assessment indicates that the joint damage and symptoms justify the procedure.

At Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic, Dr. Amol Narkhede assesses the severity of the problem, your mobility, your general health and the treatments you have already tried before discussing whether replacement may offer meaningful benefits.

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The rounded upper end of the thigh bone fits into a socket in the pelvis, allowing the leg to move in different directions. Damage to the joint surfaces or surrounding structures can affect walking, balance and everyday movement.

Osteoarthritis of the hip

Osteoarthritis is the most common reason for hip replacement. As the cartilage wears down, the joint may become painful and stiff, particularly during walking, standing or movements that require the hip to bend.

Pain is often felt in the groin, although it may also occur around the outer hip, thigh or buttock. As the condition progresses, walking distance may decrease and everyday tasks can become more difficult.

Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions

Inflammatory arthritis can damage the tissues and surfaces within the hip joint. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, stiffness and difficulty moving, sometimes alongside symptoms in other joints.

In selected patients with substantial joint damage, hip replacement may be considered when other treatments no longer provide adequate relief.

Previous hip injuries and fractures

A serious injury or fracture involving the hip can damage the joint or its blood supply. Some patients develop arthritis or other complications following an injury, while certain fractures require replacement surgery depending on their location, the patient’s age, bone quality and the condition of the joint.

The appropriate operation depends on the specific injury and the extent of damage.

Other conditions affecting the hip

Some conditions can damage the bone beneath the cartilage or affect the shape and function of the joint. Avascular necrosis, for example, occurs when the blood supply to part of a bone is disrupted, potentially causing bone damage and joint collapse.

Whether hip replacement is necessary depends on the extent of the damage and the available treatment options.

What does advanced hip damage feel like?

Patients often notice that:

• Pain develops in the groin when walking or standing.
• Getting up from a chair becomes uncomfortable.
• Putting on socks or shoes requires more effort.
• The hip feels stiff after sitting for a while.
• Walking or climbing stairs becomes increasingly difficult.
• Pain spreads into the thigh or knee.
• Sleep is disturbed by hip discomfort.
• Everyday activities require more time or assistance.

Hip pain does not always originate within the hip joint itself. The lower back, surrounding muscles and other structures can produce similar symptoms, which is why an appropriate assessment is important before deciding on treatment.

At Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic, the assessment begins with understanding how hip pain affects you and what may be causing it.

Dr. Amol Narkhede takes time to listen to your concerns and asks questions tailored to your symptoms. He may ask where the pain begins, whether it spreads into the thigh or knee, how long you have experienced it and which activities make it worse.

He also considers your walking ability, previous injuries, existing medical conditions and any treatments you have already tried.

Physical examination

Depending on your symptoms, Dr. Narkhede may ask you to stand, walk or move your hip in particular directions. He may examine the joint while you are lying on the examination bed and assess the range of movement, stiffness, tenderness and functional limitations.

The examination also helps determine whether the symptoms may be coming from the hip joint or another source, such as the lower back.

Digital X-ray imaging

X-rays are commonly used to assess hip joint damage and help determine whether replacement surgery may be appropriate.

Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic has digital radiography X-ray facilities on the same floor as the consultation rooms. If an X-ray is needed, you can undergo the examination at the clinic rather than searching for a separate imaging centre.

Once the images are available, you return to Dr. Narkhede, who reviews the findings alongside your symptoms and physical examination. He can explain changes such as narrowing of the joint space, bone damage and other features associated with arthritis.

An MRI or other investigation may be recommended when the X-ray does not provide sufficient information or another condition is suspected. Not every patient being considered for hip replacement needs an MRI.

Is surgery the right option?

The decision considers the severity of your symptoms, the degree of joint damage, the impact on your quality of life and whether non-surgical treatment has provided sufficient relief.

If surgery is not currently indicated, other treatment options may be discussed. If hip replacement appears appropriate, the procedure, expected benefits, limitations, risks and rehabilitation requirements should be explained before you make a decision.

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the hip problem. Not every patient with hip arthritis requires replacement, and the choice of procedure depends on the condition of the joint and the patient’s overall health.

Non-surgical treatment

For patients whose symptoms can still be managed without surgery, treatment may include activity modification, medication and physiotherapy.

These measures can help manage pain, maintain movement and improve everyday function. However, they cannot restore cartilage that has been extensively damaged by advanced arthritis.

If pain remains severe and mobility continues to deteriorate despite appropriate conservative treatment, replacement may be worth discussing.

Total hip replacement

Total hip replacement, also called total hip arthroplasty, involves replacing both the damaged ball at the top of the thigh bone and the damaged socket in the pelvis with artificial components.

The replacement components are designed to create a functioning joint that allows movement while reducing pain caused by the damaged surfaces. The materials and method used to secure the components depend on the surgical plan and the patient’s individual circumstances.

Total hip replacement is commonly considered for advanced osteoarthritis and selected other conditions that cause substantial joint damage.

The operation aims to reduce pain and improve mobility, but it does not recreate a completely natural hip. The extent of improvement varies between patients.

Partial hip replacement

Partial hip replacement involves replacing the ball of the hip joint while leaving the natural socket in place.

It is commonly considered for selected hip fractures, particularly certain fractures involving the upper end of the thigh bone in older adults. It is not usually the standard operation for advanced osteoarthritis affecting both joint surfaces.

The decision depends on the type of injury, the condition of the socket, bone quality and other clinical factors.

When surgery may not be appropriate

Hip replacement is a major operation and is not automatically the best option for every patient with hip pain.

If the symptoms are manageable or the pain originates from another structure, a different treatment approach may be more suitable. The assessment should establish whether replacing the joint is likely to address the actual cause of the problem.

Understanding the surgical process can help you prepare for the physical and practical demands of recovery.

Before surgery

Before the operation, the surgical team assesses your general health, medical history, current medicines and suitability for surgery. Preoperative investigations may include blood tests, imaging and other checks depending on your individual needs.

You should tell the team about existing medical conditions, allergies, previous operations and medicines you take, including blood-thinning medication. Do not change prescribed medicines without instructions from your treating team.

Preparation may also involve exercises, advice about general health and arrangements for support at home after discharge. If stairs, low seating or bathroom access are difficult, planning ahead can make the initial recovery period easier.

The surgical team will explain fasting instructions, admission arrangements and any medication changes required before the procedure.

During the operation

Hip replacement is performed in a hospital operating theatre under an anaesthesia plan selected by the anaesthesia and surgical teams.

The operation commonly takes around one to two hours, although the duration varies according to the complexity of the case and the procedure required.

During a total hip replacement, the surgeon removes the damaged ball of the thigh bone and prepares the socket in the pelvis. Artificial components are then fitted to create the replacement joint, and the surgical wound is closed.

The specific surgical approach, implant and method of fixation depend on the patient’s anatomy, the condition being treated and the surgeon’s plan.

Immediately after surgery

After the operation, you are monitored as you recover from anaesthesia. The clinical team manages pain, checks your recovery and helps you begin moving when it is safe to do so.

Many patients begin standing and walking with assistance relatively early, sometimes on the day of surgery. The timing and amount of weight you can place on the operated leg depend on the procedure and the surgeon’s instructions.

You will also receive guidance about wound care, medication, safe movement and measures to reduce the risk of blood clots.

The length of the hospital stay depends on your health, recovery progress and the arrangements at the surgical facility.

Recovery and physiotherapy

Recovery continues after discharge. Physiotherapy helps restore movement, strength, balance and walking ability while helping you learn how to move safely during the early stages.

At Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic, Dr. Rucha Narkhede provides physiotherapy independently at the same clinic. If rehabilitation through HBJ is recommended and suitable for your postoperative plan, she can guide you through prescribed exercises and demonstrate the correct technique.

Your rehabilitation programme should follow the instructions provided by your operating surgeon, particularly regarding weight-bearing, hip movements and any precautions required after the procedure.

Many patients make substantial progress during the first several weeks, but recovery can continue for several months or longer. Returning to driving, work, longer walks and more demanding activities depends on your progress and the advice of your treating team.

Hip replacement can significantly reduce pain for suitable patients, but it is a major operation and carries potential risks.

Possible complications include:

• Infection around the surgical wound or artificial joint.
• Blood clots in the leg or lungs.
• Dislocation of the replacement joint.
• Differences in leg length or altered sensation.
• Injury to surrounding nerves or blood vessels.
• Fracture around the implant.
• Wear or loosening of components over time.
• Persistent pain or the need for further surgery.

The likelihood of these complications varies according to the patient’s health, the condition being treated, the surgical procedure and other individual factors.

The surgical team takes measures to reduce risks and will explain the precautions, warning signs and follow-up requirements relevant to your case.

Seek urgent medical advice after surgery if you develop sudden breathlessness, chest pain or significant new swelling and pain in the leg. Increasing wound redness, discharge, fever or worsening pain also needs prompt medical assessment.

Your care begins by contacting Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic by phone or WhatsApp to enquire about a consultation with Dr. Amol Narkhede.

During the consultation, he listens to your concerns, asks questions about your symptoms and examines your hip. If imaging is needed, digital X-ray facilities are available on the same floor as the consultation rooms.

He reviews the available findings, explains the likely diagnosis and discusses whether conservative treatment or hip replacement may be appropriate. If surgery is being considered, you should discuss the procedure, hospital arrangements, expected recovery, risks and follow-up with the surgical team.

Hip replacement surgery takes place at a hospital or appropriate surgical facility, not in the clinic’s consultation room. The specific hospital and admission arrangements should be confirmed directly with the clinic.

Physiotherapy may form part of the recovery plan. Dr. Rucha Narkhede practises independently at Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic, where patients can enquire about rehabilitation at the same location, subject to the operating team’s recommendations and individual recovery plan.

Both practitioners generally practise during the clinic’s operating hours, subject to individual availability. Dr. Amol’s availability may vary when he is undertaking surgery, so contact the clinic before visiting if you specifically wish to consult him.