HIP ARTHRITIS – THE NIGHTMARE OF THE ELDERLY

Severely Degenerated Hip Joint at Age 70

Having had difficulty walking for a long time, Mrs. L.T.S (70 years old, Long An) believed that her joint pain was caused by the weather and aging, so she bought medication to take on her own.

When the pain became so severe that even sitting down and standing up were difficult, Mrs. S. went to the Orthopedics &Traumatology Department at Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital for examination and treatment.

After undergoing clinical examinations, laboratory tests, and imaging studies, Mrs. S. was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis of the right hip joint. According to Dr. Vo Van Man, Specialist Level II – Head of Orthopedics & Traumatology Department, osteoarthritis is very common among the elderly and is currently one of the leading causes of disability. The older a person gets, the more pronounced the degeneration of bodily organs becomes, including the joints.

In addition, several other factors contribute to the progression of the disease, such as genetics, obesity, and repeated micro-traumas to the joints. In Mrs. S.’s case, her advanced age, combined with an L4–L5 disc herniation and excess body weight, placed significant strain on her musculoskeletal system, especially since she weighs up to 91 kg.

Artificial Hip Replacement – A Suitable Option for Elderly Patients

For Mrs. S., the orthopedic team conducted a multidisciplinary consultation and decided that total hip replacement surgery would be the most appropriate treatment. The patient and her family were thoroughly counseled regarding the procedure, including its benefits, potential risks, and complications before and after surgery.

The nearly two-hour surgery was successfully performed by Dr. Vo Van Man (Specialist Level II), Dr. Vi Van Duong (Specialist Level I), and Dr. Nguyen Van Huynh, in coordination with the Anesthesiology and Resuscitation team. Hip replacement surgery offers several advantages, including a smaller incision with minimal soft-tissue disruption, shorter operative time, high precision, reduced risk of infection, and lower overall treatment duration and costs. The replaced joint is stable, allowing the patient to begin early rehabilitation and return to normal activities sooner.

This is a complex procedure that requires seamless coordination among multiple specialties before, during, and after surgery, as well as investment in modern equipment to achieve the best possible outcome for the patient.

On the first day after surgery, the patient began physical therapy with in-bed exercises such as sitting up and standing with the support of a walker. By the second day, she was able to walk freely with a walker—comfortably, without the previous pain or the limping caused by leg-length discrepancy prior to surgery.

After just two days of rest and recovery following the surgery, Mrs. S. was able to stand up on her own, practice walking with crutches, and clearly feel her improvement.

Dr. Man further explained that hip replacement surgery is no longer considered complex. With the advancement of modern medicine, many safe and effective techniques have greatly benefited patients. Artificial hip replacement is indicated for patients with hip osteoarthritis, stabilized hip arthritis, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, and femoral head or neck fractures. The procedure helps reduce pain, improve mobility, restore the ability to walk and perform daily activities, and prevent dangerous complications associated with prolonged bed rest.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital accepts both Health Insurance and Private Health Insurance.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital

No. 88, Street No. 8, Trung Son Residential Area, Binh Hung Commune, Ho Chi Minh City.

Hotline: 18006767

info@nih.com.vn

BRC: No. 0312088602, issued on December 14th, 2012 by the Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City. Medical Examination and Treatment License No. 230/BYT-GPHĐ, issued by the Ministry of Health.