Hip Replacement in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is hip replacement?
Hip replacement is an operation that replaces the worn ball at the top of the thigh bone and the socket in the pelvis with artificial parts. The new ball sits on a stem fixed inside the thigh bone, and the new socket is lined with a smooth, hard-wearing surface, so the joint glides freely again. Surgeons call the full operation a total hip replacement; replacing only the ball is called a hemiarthroplasty and is mainly used after certain hip fractures.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, hip replacement is carried out by the orthopedic surgical team. The goal is a hip that lets you walk, sleep and get about with far less pain than before.
Who needs it
Hip replacement helps adults whose hip joint is badly damaged, most often by osteoarthritis, and sometimes by rheumatoid arthritis, a childhood hip condition or loss of blood supply to the ball of the joint. Hip pain often shows up in unexpected places. Many people feel it in the groin or the front of the thigh, and some feel it mainly in the knee, which is why a hip X-ray is part of assessing knee pain that has no clear cause at the knee itself.
Typical reasons to consider surgery are pain that wakes you at night, difficulty putting on shoes and socks, a limp, and a walking distance that keeps shrinking, once weight management, exercise and pain relief have been given a fair trial. The broader causes of hip pain are covered on the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine page.
Hip replacement is also used to treat some fractures of the upper thigh bone in older adults. In that situation the operation is usually urgent, because getting up and walking again soon after a hip fracture matters greatly for recovery.
What happens
The operation takes place under a spinal anaesthetic, which numbs you from the waist down, or a general anaesthetic; the anaesthetist agrees the choice with you. The surgeon reaches the hip through an incision at the side or back of the hip, removes the damaged ball, prepares the socket, and fixes the new parts in place, either with bone cement or with components designed for the bone to grow onto. Before closing, the surgeon checks the new hip's stability and the length of the leg.
Standing and walking begin soon after surgery with the team beside you, using a frame or crutches at first. You are given treatment to lower the risk of blood clots, and pain relief is planned so that you can move. Before you go home, the team makes sure you can walk safely, manage stairs and get in and out of bed.
Preparing for it
A pre-operative assessment checks your blood count, heart and general fitness for anaesthetic. Infections elsewhere, such as a dental abscess, an infected toenail or a urine infection, are treated before surgery, because bacteria in the bloodstream can reach a new joint. Tell the team about all your medicines, particularly blood thinners and diabetes treatment, so each has a clear plan.
Your home matters as much as the hospital. Low sofas, floor seating and low toilets are hard to use in the first weeks, so a firm, higher chair with arms and a raised toilet seat make a real difference. Keep everyday items at waist height, clear walkways, and arrange for someone to help at home at first. If you smoke, stopping before surgery helps the wound heal.
Afterwards
In the early weeks the new hip is protected while the tissues around it heal. Your surgeon explains which positions to take care with, such as deep bending, low seats or crossing your legs, because the advice depends on how the operation was done. Following it closely lowers the risk of the new joint slipping out of place. A physiotherapy programme, arranged as part of your care pathway, strengthens the muscles that hold the hip steady, and your surgeon gives you a timeline for your case covering walking aids, driving and work.
Contact the hospital if the wound becomes red, swollen or starts to leak, if you develop a fever, or if hip pain suddenly worsens. Go to the emergency department straight away if the leg suddenly shortens or turns and you are unable to put weight on it, or if you develop calf swelling, chest pain or sudden breathlessness, which can signal a dislocation or a blood clot.
Cost and insurance
Planned hip replacement almost always needs pre-approval from your insurer, covering the operation, anaesthetic, hospital stay and implant; some policies assess or cap the implant separately. When hip replacement treats a fracture, it is handled as an emergency admission and approval follows the emergency pathway. Physiotherapy after discharge may be approved separately with its own session limit. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Why do I feel my hip problem in my groin or knee?
Hip joint pain is often felt in the groin, the front of the thigh or even the knee, because nerves from the hip also supply those areas. That is why an orthopedic surgeon examines the hip, and may request a hip X-ray, when knee pain has no clear cause at the knee itself.
What are the risks of hip replacement?
Hip replacement carries the risks of any major operation, including infection, blood clots, bleeding and a reaction to the anaesthetic. Risks specific to the hip include dislocation of the new joint, a small difference in leg length, and wear or loosening of the parts over many years, which can require a second operation. Your surgeon explains how these apply to you before you decide.
Will one leg be longer after a hip replacement?
A small difference in leg length can occur after hip replacement, and the surgeon measures and checks leg length during the operation to keep it as even as possible. Many people adapt without noticing, and a shoe insert can even out a difference that remains.
Can I sit on the floor or kneel for prayer after a hip replacement?
Deep bending, such as sitting on the floor or kneeling low, is usually limited in the early weeks while the new hip heals, and your surgeon tells you when and how to return to it. If floor sitting and prayer positions are important to you, say so before surgery so your rehabilitation can work towards them. Some people pray seated during recovery.
How long does a hip replacement last?
A hip replacement is designed to last many years, and how long it lasts depends on your activity, your weight and the implant. If the parts wear or loosen, revision surgery can replace them. Your surgeon explains what to expect for your age and activity level.
Is hip replacement used for a broken hip?
Hip replacement, either of the ball alone or of the whole joint, is a common treatment for certain fractures of the upper thigh bone in older adults. It is carried out urgently so the person can get up and walk again as soon as possible. The surgeon chooses between replacement and fixing the fracture with metalwork depending on the fracture type.
Is hip replacement covered by insurance?
Most UAE insurance plans cover hip replacement when it is medically needed, but planned surgery almost always requires pre-approval, and some policies limit implant costs or physiotherapy sessions. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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