Hip surgery in Lancashire

Our skilled orthopaedics team here at Lancaster Private Hospital treat a number of conditions involving the hips.

Dealing with all pathologies relating to sports injuries to the hips, our consultant specialises in trauma and can help anyone who is suffering from a painful or unstable joint due to early wear and tear.

Patients with a severe form of arthritis are also catered for at Lancaster Private Hospital.

When you visit our clinic, our consultant takes care to explain everything in simple terms and ensures you have all the information you need to get your head around the problem. This will help you both formulate the best plan of action to ensure a good outcome.

Typically, hip surgery is used to treat hip pain or other problems, such as stiffness or instability, that can’t be managed with non-surgical treatments.

If you suffer with hip problems, you may have tried options such as medication, heat therapy, or physiotherapy to help alleviate and manage your pain. For many people, these non-surgical treatments successfully reduce hip pain and help improve function and mobility. However, for others, non-invasive methods may not reduce or eliminate pain as effectively.

If you have not found relief through non-invasive treatment options, you might benefit from hip surgery.

For many patients, the main benefit of joint replacement surgery is the relief of pain – both during the day and at night.

Alongside the pain, though, patients with hip injuries experience a lack of mobility, which means hip surgery can help improve their day-to-day functioning considerably. If joint pain is making you limp, this may also be improved following surgery, with your questions and any concerns about recovery times all being addressed during your initial consultation.

Bear in mind, though, says our consultant here at Lancaster Private Hospital, that if you walk more slowly due to joint pain, hip surgery may not alter this. If you use a walking stick or crutches, however, whether joint replacement surgery will allow you to use fewer walking aids is dependent on how well your lower limb joints and back perform.

It also relies on the muscle strength and gait coordination your body learns in the months following surgery.

If you suffer from knee pain, too, hip replacements can help in some instances. That said, they do not cure backache or pain that originates from the knee itself, says our consultant.

When it comes to the risk involved with hip surgery, this is around 1% overall, says our Consultant. The risk of instability and dislocation is at its highest in the first year – and the risk can be recurrent, but there are significant dos and don’ts in terms of leg position and the activities you undertake following surgery.

Again, your consultant can discuss any risks, alongside your concerns in general, at your initial consultation. Overall, our consultant says that, owing to his own experience, the percentage of patients who are satisfied with the outcome following a hip replacement is around 85%.

That said, some patients have individual circumstances (relating to their hip or general health) that may affect those numbers.

When you visit our Orthopaedics Consultant here at Lancaster Private Hospital, you can expect to undergo a thorough clinical evaluation. You will be asked about your medical history, including any existing conditions and any allergies – as well as your day-to-day life, including your job and other daily activities.

Appropriate imaging and diagnostics (such as X-rays) may be required too, and your consultant will discuss the best possible treatment modalities for you.

This may include non-operative treatment, including physiotherapy, through to surgical management, including a hip replacement. If X-rays are needed, these can usually be done on the same day as your consultation. MRI scans, meanwhile, can be arranged for a subsequent day, as can any further tests.

By performing diagnostic tests like X-rays on the day of the consultation, our team can formulate a treatment package for you, which may help you recover faster.

Our orthopaedic surgeon at Lancaster Private Hospital performs hip replacements regularly. Medical investigations and treatment in terms of pain management - assessing the damage ahead of treating a condition, for example – is also available at the hospital.

Several knee preserving treatments are available here at the hospital, too, such as using injections that contain visco-supplements, platelet rich plasma or cortisone/steroids.

Sports injuries are also high on our consultants’ agenda for patients, with everything from investigations, such as MRI scans, to treatments using sports physiotherapists and specialised keyhole surgery available.

How long your hip surgery takes will depend on what type of hip surgery you are having. For example, hip arthroscopy typically takes between 30 and 90 minutes, while hip replacement takes more like one to two hours, and hip revision can take longer.

Your consultant hip surgeon will give you personalised information so that you know what to expect on the day of your surgery.

Most people begin walking with support—such as crutches or a walker—within a day of hip surgery, but walking more normally usually takes several weeks. By around three to six weeks, many patients can walk with much less assistance and start regaining a more natural gait as pain decreases and strength improves.

Full, confident walking without noticeable limping often develops between six and twelve weeks, depending on factors such as age, fitness, the type of hip surgery, and how consistently rehabilitation exercises are followed. While recovery varies from person to person, most individuals see steady progress each week as mobility and stability return.

When to remove compression stockings after hip surgery

You will usually have to wear compression stockings for about 4-6 weeks after hip surgery, though some people will need to wear them for a shorter or longer time. Your care team will give you specific instructions about this. Compression stockings are worn to promote blood flow and prevent blood clots in your legs.

Patients can be assured that the treatment time at Lancaster Private Hospital is much shorter than it is on the NHS. You will also be seen by a consultant, and our surgeons always aim to minimise the risk of infection.

Common procedures – including hip replacement – require a multi-disciplinary team for full and quick recovery, and you will see the same person every time you visit us.

Working closely with our on-site physiotherapists, as well as nurses and occupational therapists, our consultants ensure that every patient benefits from a multi-disciplinary team approach.

Providing clean, modern facilities and state-of-the-art equipment, our hip surgery clinic offers several appointments per week, meaning you can get booked in quickly – and at a time to suit you.

The hospital has great ward facilities, too, where patients can be monitored carefully.

At a glance, here are some reasons why you might want to choose Lancaster Private Hospital for your hip consultation or surgery:

• Flexible appointments and shorter waiting times – One of the main benefits of seeking private medical treatment for hip pain is a reduced waiting time for an appointment. Slots are flexible, too, and you can take a look at our consultant’s diary and pick out a time and date to suit your schedule.
• Consultant-led appointments – Hip surgery consultations will always be consultant-led at Lancaster Private Hospital. You will also see the same person each time – from your consultation, right through to any treatment needed. Remote consultations may also be offered.
• Patient satisfaction and personalised care – In 2020, 97.3% of our patients said they would recommend Lancaster Private Hospital, in a survey compiled by an independent agency.
• A multidisciplinary clinic – Our team within hip surgery provides a convenient, multidisciplinary approach to your healthcare. Working alongside a team of physiotherapists here in Lancaster, a combined clinic is offered for patients.

Our hip and knee clinic here at Lancaster Private Hospital caters to the whole of Lancashire and Cumbria.

Patients might travel from in and around Lancaster itself, including Morecambe, Heysham, Carnforth, Bolton-le-Sands, Galgate, and more – and our clinic is well-situated and on a reliable bus route.

Patients may travel from Preston for orthopaedics surgery, while others may visit from Blackburn, Chorley, Leyland and the surrounding areas.

A wide catchment area, people visit us from the south too, as well as further up north, from Penrith and Carlisle, all the way up to Barrow-in-Furness.

To book a consultation to discuss hip surgery with an orthopaedic surgeon near you, use our online booking system, or give us a call and one of our dedicated advisors will help you find an appointment time that suits you.