TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT – AN OPTIMAL SOLUTION FOR AVASCULAR NECROSIS OF THE FEMORAL HEAD

Through clinical examination and imaging studies, the medical team diagnosed Mr. H. with avascular necrosis of the femoral head – a condition where bone tissue dies due to lack of blood supply, leading to joint collapse. The recommended treatment was total hip replacement surgery, aimed at restoring joint function and eliminating pain.

“Total hip arthroplasty (partial or total) is an orthopedic procedure in which the damaged hip joint is replaced with a prosthesis”, explained Dr. Son Tan Ngoc, Specialist Level I, the lead surgeon. “The surgery can be performed through anterior, anterolateral, or posterior approaches by dissecting the joint capsule and surrounding muscles to access the hip joint”.

He added:

“This technique offers several advantages: smaller incision, minimal soft tissue damage, shorter surgery time, lower risk of infection, faster recovery, and reduced treatment costs. The replaced joint is highly stable, enabling early rehabilitation and return to daily activities.

For patients with hip osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, femoral head necrosis, or femoral head/neck fractures, hip replacement remains the optimal treatment”.

“We’re very satisfied with the medical care here”, said a family member. “H. was scared of surgery, so we kept trying different medications for a long time. If we had known the procedure was so smooth and recovery so fast, we would’ve opted for surgery much earlier. We wasted time and money chasing ineffective treatments”.

Just 3 days after surgery, Mr. H. was able to walk with a support frame, without the intense pain and stiffness he had previously endured.

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is a serious complication of hip conditions, whether trauma-related or not. Once bone and cartilage cells are deprived of blood and die, conservative treatments like medication or physiotherapy become ineffective.

If left untreated, the joint collapses, leading to chronic arthritis, deformity, and permanent loss of mobility. “Surgical intervention, especially total hip replacement, is the most effective solution once femoral head necrosis is diagnosed”, added Dr. Ngoc.

In its early stages, femoral head necrosis often presents with no clear symptoms. As it progresses, patients may feel pain in the hip, buttocks, or thigh, especially when walking. In later stages, pain occurs even at rest, and patients may lose the ability to walk.

Therefore, it’s important to seek early medical attention at a reputable healthcare facility with advanced diagnostic tools and qualified specialists.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital accepts both public health insurance and private health insurance.