Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) For years Asmaa Fanar Mohammed could barely walk, squat or sit in one position for long. The excruciating pain was a part of her life. But a hip replacement surgery in a hospital here has now changed her life for ever.

In a surgery that raises hopes for younger people required to undertake a hip replacement surgery, Asmaa, 20, an Iraqi, who suffered from dislocated hips since childhood, was successfully operated at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital here.

“When Asmaa came to me, she had great pain in walking as well as sitting in one posture for long. We performed some tests and found out that she is a victim of developmental dysplasia of both hips. It means her hip joint had congenital or acquired deformation leading to instability of hips,” R.K. Sharma, senior consultant orthopedics and joint replacement surgeon at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, told IANS.

The best part — the new surgery technique now gives the new hip joints a life of nearly 30 years instead of the earlier eight to 15 years.

Asmaa had unstable hips since childhood, leading to a waddling gait and she could squat only with pain.

After thorough investigation, Sharma decided to perform a special surgery which involved osteotomy - breaking of hip bone and bringing down the hip centre and bilateral uncemented total hip replacement on the patient.

This uncemented artificial limb has a fine mesh of holes on the surface area that touches the bone. This allows the bone to grow into the mesh and becomes a part of the bone.

“The special part of surgery was to bring down the hip centre which had up ridden by about four inches causing shortening of both lower limbs by about five inches and causing instability of the walking pattern,” said Sharma.

With the patient being young, the risk of the joint wearing out and the need of a second surgery was a major concern. The doctors then decided to use a special ceramic and polymer surface joint which reduces the artificial limb from wearing off.

“The limbs wear down due to friction, the joint used was a ceramic on polymer. While the normally used hip replacements wear off in eight to 15 years, these joints last upto 30 years,” Sharma said.

Asmaa said: “I have gone through immense pain, mentally and physically both. My inability to walk and sit properly made me dependent on others for even basic activities.”

Asmaa had two operations on May 26 and June 16, the doctor said. Within three months Asmaa will be able to lead a completely normal life, he added.

“Total hip replacement (THR) is an excellent treatment option for people with degenerative hip disease. In addition to marked reduction in pain and improvement in walking, most people regain range of motion, physical ability and quality of life,” Sharma said.