Best Hip Replacement Clinics in Mexico

Who is a candidate for Hip Replacement?

The candidate for this procedure is a patient who has moderate to severe arthritis in the hip, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis, which causes pain and/or hinders daily activities. Hip replacement surgery can be performed on people of practically any age, however, it's more frequently performed on patients between the ages of 50 and 80.

What are the different types of Hip Replacement surgeries done in Mexico?

There are two main types of hip replacement Surgeries that are performed in Mexican clinics, these are:

• Conventional hip replacement surgery: In the conventional surgical method, the hip joint is completely surgically opened and prosthetics are implanted.
• Minimally invasive hip replacement surgery: In the minimally invasive surgical technique, in which the hip prosthesis is implanted through a natural muscle gap.

What tests do Mexican orthopedic specialists perform before Hip Replacement?

Before the hip replacement, some preparatory examinations, in particular imaging examinations such as X-ray examinations, are performed. This is intended to determine whether the patient actually needs an artificial hip joint and, if so, which type of hip prosthesis should be used and which type of anchorage is most suitable.

Few other tests that are performed before the surgery include:

• CBC
• Electrocardiogram
• Stress test
• Urine sample test.

How is Hip Replacement done in Mexico?

 Conventional method

Hip surgery is performed under both general and spinal anesthesia. Irrespective of the anchoring of the hip endoprosthesis, the hip joint is first surgically opened, and diseased bone material, the worn joint surfaces, is removed. The remaining bone is prepared for the implant. The cartilage surfaces of the pelvic socket are processed with special burs to prepare the implant bed.

The hip shaft is opened and prepared with special rasps depending on the endoprosthesis shaft. Depending on the method used, the endoprosthesis is cemented or screwed in, or pressed in. At the end of the hip operation, the hip joint is tested for functionality and mobility, the wound is closed and a compression bandage is applied. The entire hip surgery usually takes 1 to 2 hours.

Minimally invasive method

The minimally invasive surgical technique is a tissue-sparing type of implantation of an artificial hip joint. The hip endoprosthesis is inserted through a natural muscle gap while protecting the soft tissue, i.e. muscles, tendons, and tissue. An advantage of the minimally invasive surgical technique is the faster rehabilitation of the patient, smaller skin incisions and consequently a better cosmetic result, less blood loss, and less pain.

Rehab after Hip Replacement

The success of hip surgery and the further healing process depend to a large extent on the rehabilitation ability of the patient himself. On the 2-3rd day after the knee or hip replacement surgery, the patient is allowed to sit (at first for 15-20 minutes), then start walking around with crutches, canes, and special walkers, which will reduce the load on the endoprosthesis. However, after one-week proper rehabilitation is required in which doctors of Mexico help patients to perform exercises that will improve the hip joint movement so that patients can continue with their normal life.

What are the complications of Hip Replacement?

The specific complications of hip replacement surgery include:

• Infections: An infection after hip surgery means bacterial colonization in the area of the implanted hip prosthesis.
• Hip dislocation: The use of a total hip endoprosthesis can result in dislocation of the joint ( hip dislocation ). The decisive factor is the precision of the surgeon when using the hip endoprosthesis during the hip operation.
• Calcifications: Calcifications occur in the surrounding muscles in 5 to 10 percent of cases.
• Bonding and adhesions: If the hip is not moved enough in the days after hip surgery, bonding or adhesions can occur in the hip joint.

Benefits of visiting Mexico for Hip Replacement

• There are some of the best hip replacement clinics in Mexico, which are internationally acclaimed and have received accreditations like ISO and JCI. These clinics include Galenia Hospital, Hospital Angeles Tijuana and San Juan Clinics.
• The list of best hip replacement doctors in Mexico is extremely long. These doctors have experience of many years and have trained in international hospitals. Some of these doctors are Dr. José Luis Aguilar Arceo, Dr. Fernando Izquierdo and Dr. Dario E. Garin Zertuche.
• The cost of hip replacement surgery in Mexico is almost 70% less than in American and European clinics.