How much does a hip replacement cost in the UK?
The hip joint is a joint which links the pelvis to the thigh bone, femur, in a ball and socket mechanism. It gives the skeleton legs motility and bears body weight and therefore is one of the most solid and stable joints in the skeleton. The hip joint is kept lubricated by the synovial fluid. This fluid is made up of hyaluronan, lubricin, proteinase, collagenases, and prostaglandins which provide lubrication, preventing friction in the joint. It enables you to be able to move your legs and bend and stretch to climb stairs and do basic activities and movements with your legs. The hip joint pelvis and top of the femur are also covered in cartilage to help provide further lubrication and prevention of dynamic stress. Tissues called ligaments link the bones and tendons link the bones to muscles, allowing for movement.
Osteoporosis is a condition which causes weak, easy-to-break brittle bones, putting an individual more at risk of hip fracture and degeneration. Osteoarthritis is when the cartilage around the joint begins to break down and the underlying bone changes. This causes joint stiffness, pain and swelling. It is worsened by weight gain and is more likely in women, the elderly and those with a relative with the condition. Both conditions are likely causes of hip pain.
Damage to the hip joint can occur as a result of a fracture, injury, related to aging, or overuse deterioration or also other conditions such as bone cancer. Arthritis can limit movement, as it can cause narrowing of the hip joint, hardening of the bone surface underneath the joint, causing small bony growths in the joint and cyst formation. This damage can be detected with an X-ray. Both injury and arthritis can limit the movement of the hip joint and cause considerable pain and suffering. Often a hip replacement is needed to allow rotation, extension, and flexion of the hip joint and allow for movement of the legs. Complete recovery takes 3–6 months for a hip replacement, with physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
What is a hip replacement?
A hip replacement, or hip arthroplasty, is a surgical operation carried out to reduce hip pain and allow movement of the legs. The surgery replaces parts of the hip joint or the whole joint with an artificial replacement hip. A traditional whole hip replacement involves a single, large incision to the leg hip joint, cutting through muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It is because of these deep incisions that there is a large recovery time for a hip operation. Alternatively, parts of the hip can be replaced, using hip prosthesis, where the bone is repaired with bone cement and either an artificial pelvis socket, top of the femur or part of the bone, requiring less surgery. Either one side of the hip is replaced, or a double hip operation is provided.
How much does a hip replacement cost in the UK?
The NHS offers the procedure to UK citizens in urgent need of care for free. However, there are often long waiting lists for this procedure, leaving a person in considerable pain for a long period of time. Private care costs vary based on health insurance and the provider, with on average the procedure costing around £10000. However, the procedure can cost up to £15000 for a double hip operation. Professionals with more expertise in their fields and a credible education and success rate will cost more for the procedure. Most health insurance providers will only cover this procedure if it is not related to a previous medical condition such as osteoporosis.
Post-operative care and medications associated with a hip replacement can also be expensive. Physiotherapy is often required to help a person strengthen the joint and return to full mobility. A lack of activity can cause the joint to seize up, and so staying active is an essential part of recovery. The NHS may offer some basic physiotherapy for a limited time period after the procedure, based on your age and the extent of the damage and repair, to help you get back on your feet. Many chose to “top-up” the NHS physiotherapy sessions once they are over with private physiotherapy, as they still need further care for optimum movement and quality of life. Occupational therapy will be needed when the patient first returns home to help adapt a home to a post-hip op patient. Pain medications, anti-inflammatories, blood clot (especially when on bed rest for the first few weeks post-procedure) medications and even diuretics (to help you urinate post-procedure as the general anaesthetic given for this operation can impact this) and constipation medications, are also required. If you decide to go private, it is vital that you ensure these are included in your operation cost quote, to enable the procedure to stay within budget and prevent financial stress.
