Private Hip Surgery Darlington

Severe arthritis is one of the primary reasons that someone may need a joint replacement.

Arthritis in the hip can often be managed with:

• Painkillers
• Physiotherapy
• Steroid injections
• A combination of all of these

In cases where the pain is very severe or these factors have been ineffective, surgery can be considered, normally in the form of a joint replacement.

Many fit and young patients have a hip replacement and go on to continue an active, sporty lifestyle once recovered. Your consultant will take into account your goals for recovery when advising you on the most appropriate options for your treatment.

With a hip replacement, usually performed under general anaesthetic, the entire joint is removed and replaced by an artificial implant made of plastic and/or metal, which is then fixed in place with bone cement.

Our hip specialists at Woodlands Hospital offer a variety of treatments, including:

• Hip replacement surgery (total and partial)
• Hip arthroscopy: Can help diagnose and treat problems in the hip. It's performed using a few small cuts and your surgeon will use specially designed surgical tools to access your hip joint through these. One of these tools will be a camera (known as an arthroscope), allowing them to see inside your hip and perform surgery.
• Hip injections
• Mako® robotic-arm assisted hip surgery: Mako® is a robotic arm that works in tandem with your surgeon, combining innovative technology with the skills and expertise of your consultant.

The first step of any consultation is to establish an accurate diagnosis. Your consultant will ask for a detailed medical history, and perform a physical examination. This is usually followed by an x-ray to check if there is anything structural that may be causing your pain, and/or an MRI to confirm the presence of arthritis.

At the point a diagnosis is confirmed, your consultant will outline all your treatment options for you, including the use of the Mako® robot for your surgery. This is available to anyone who needs a replacement, even if the surgery is complex.

If you decide to opt for the Mako®-assisted surgery, a personalised surgical plan is drawn up. First, your consultant will take a detailed 3D CT scan of your hip, feeding this information into the Mako® to produce a 3D model of the joint. This allows your surgeon to tailor the surgery to your exact anatomy, and work out the best possible location for the joint replacement, drafting a personalised plan for your specific surgery to ensure optimal placement for function.

During the operation itself, the Mako®robotic arm is directly controlled by your surgeon in order to best execute the plan that has been made. This includes making the cuts in exactly the right place, lining everything up perfectly each time. The Mako® also sends real-time information directly to your surgeon, allowing for any necessary changes if complications arise.

With smaller incisions, recovery is a lot shorter, as is your stay in hospital. In some cases, patients have been able to return home on the same day, allowing robotics-assisted hip replacements to be carried out as a day case. The recovery period is also less painful, meaning you have reduced needs for analgesia and painkillers. Rehabilitation is also significantly quicker, with the hip feeling a lot more ‘natural’, so you can get back to doing the things you love sooner rather than later.

Choosing to have your hip surgery at Woodlands comes with a host of benefits, such as:

• Assessments ASAP – Certain hip, knee and joint conditions, such as arthritis, are best treated at the earliest possible stage. If you’ve been experiencing any of the associated symptoms (joint pain, stiffness, loss of mobility), our consultants can see you for an assessment without delay, getting you an accurate diagnosis and the necessary treatment before your symptoms progress any further.
• Patient satisfaction – In December 2022, 97.8% of our patients said that the overall quality of care was 'very good' or 'excellent'. We aim to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, and these results highlight our continued efforts to ensure this is achieved.
• Robotic-assisted surgery – Allowing even greater accuracy, our theatres are equipped with robotics-enabled Mako® guiding systems to assist your surgeon in a variety of complex surgeries. This cutting-edge technology increases the likelihood of a successful surgery and is favoured by surgeons and patients alike. As an exclusive to Woodlands within the area, patients travel from Edinburgh, Peterborough, Newcastle and even further afield for this advanced surgical assistance.
• Personalised care – We believe in a bespoke approach to treatment, tailoring each experience to our patients’ need, based on the 3D CT scan produced for the Mako®. This is regularly reviewed, ensuring you get the necessary treatment at every stage of your patient journey.
• Multidisciplinary approach – Our teams at Woodlands work in tandem with each other to provide you with the best possible care from start to finish. Working closely with a dedicated team of physiotherapists, radiographers, anaesthetists, and nurses, as well as links with Oncology and Neurology, you have support from medical professionals every step of the way during your treatment and rehabilitation.
• Convenient appointments – With appointments available at flexible, dedicated clinics, you are sure to find an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability.
• Park with ease – We know that parking should be the least of your worries when attending hospital, so our car park has ample space to accommodate your needs. Alternatively, we are very close to Darlington Railway Station, should you wish to visit us by train.

If your hip has been causing you problems, why not book a consultation with one of our orthopaedic specialists today? Our Consultants can outline all treatment options for you promptly, arranging any necessary diagnostic scans, treatment and Mako®-assisted surgery if required.

For peace of mind and expert care, please contact Woodlands to book an appointment now.

Accessing private healthcare with us is easy, whether you choose to pay directly or use private medical insurance.

If you are paying for yourself, we can usually offer an upfront cost which you can then choose to pay in full or access one of our easy payment options.

If you have insurance, we can arrange direct settlement with your insurance provider, although you should check in advance to see if your treatment is covered. There are usually only three steps to accessing private treatment using insurance:

• Speak to your GP: Let your GP know that you have private medical insurance during your appointment with them. Ask them to refer you to Woodlands Hospital, and in you have already chosen which consultant you would like to see, let your GP know their name so they can give you a specific referral letter. The letter should include the hospital and consultant name, as well as the recommended treatment. Your GP can also give you a referral letter with no specified consultant.
• Speak to us: Once you have your referral letter from your GP, give our friendly Patient Liaison Officers a call on 01325 341786. If your GP gets in touch with us directly with your referral, we will be in touch with you.
• Speak to your insurer: After speaking to your GP, ensure that you call your insurer and activate your insurance. Have your insurance details to hand when you call, as they will need it to confirm that the treatment you need is covered by our policy. If the treatment is not covered but you would still like to go private, you can explore alternative methods.

For more information, visit our private medical insurance page.

Woodlands Hospital first opened in Darlington in 2001, and we have been treating patients from Darlington and the wider area ever since.

We are located on Morton Park Way, opposite Dunelm and Premier Inn and over the road from Morrisons. Darlington Train Station is approximately 3.5 miles away and there is a taxi rank at the station with cabs available throughout the day. We are also a short walk from numerous bus routes, with stops at Morrisons and on Yarm Road. We are a short distance from local attractions such as Hopetown, the brick train sculpture and the Hippodrome.

We have free parking available on-site, with 4 electric vehicle charging points. The hospital has an accessible entrance, however please do let a member of the team know if you require a wheelchair and one of our friendly porters can assist you into the building.

Each of our rooms feature an en-suite for added comfort and privacy. The rooms are spacious with a remote controlled TV and free Wi-Fi available during your stay. Our catering team are on-hand to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at regular mealtimes. We offer a range of choices available, please do let us know of any special dietary requirements you have prior to your admission.

As well as offering surgery, we have a number of fantastic facilities on-site at Woodlands.

Our physiotherapy department consists of many experienced senior physiotherapists with a range of clinical interests including hand, women's health and men's health. We also have a fully equipped gymnasium, including an anti-gravity treadmill, exercise bike and numerous weights. The team will work closely with you to reach your goals, and you can self refer to book an appointment. If you're interested, please give the team a call on 01325 341712 and choose option 2.

We also have imaging facilities on-site, including a wide-bore MRI scanner, x-ray, ultrasound, fluoroscopy and access to a CT scanner. Please note: appointments for any imaging service at Woodlands Hospital can only be made once the department receives a referral from a GMC-registered consultant. For more information, please give our friendly enquiry team a call on 01325 968 195.