Hip replacement surgery at Vale Hospital

Why choose Nuffield Health Cardiff & Vale Hospitals for your hip replacement surgery?

Located in the beautiful surroundings of the Vale of Glamorgan, The Vale Hospital is home to some of the most experienced orthopaedic hip surgeons in Wales. Our experts specialise in lower limb joint replacement surgery and can provide you with rapid access to an initial diagnosis and treatment plan, which has been tailored to you and your unique needs.

Choosing to go private at Nuffield Health Vale Hospital ensures that you will have access to our state-of-the-art hospital facilities where you can rest assured that you are in the best possible medical hands. 

Our hospitals physiotherapy teams at The Vale and Cardiff Bay specialise in orthopaedic aftercare and will work alongside your chosen consultant to get you back to your best after surgery.

How to book a private consultation at Nuffield Health Cardiff & Vale Hospitals

If you are suffering from hip pain and want to discuss your treatment options with one of our consultants in either Cardiff or Vale, you will need to book a private consultation via our dedicated hospital enquiry team on 02920 836700.

Please let the enquiry handler know if you have had any recent X-rays or scans when booking your consultation, as there will be additional charges for any diagnostic imaging required.

Our 2 hospital locations in South Wales allow you to shape your own treatment

Hip replacement surgery is performed at our Vale Hospital, however patients have the flexibility to decide where their initial consultation takes place.

As well as the Vale Hospital, our hip consultants operate out of Nuffield Health Cardiff Bay Hospital for initial consultations and all diagnostic imaging.

Subsequently, you can choose which of our two locations you want to undertake your post surgery physiotherapy and aftercare with.

Why might you need hip replacement surgery?

• Over time the surfaces on the hip joint can start to wear
• This can be caused by osteoarthritis or a previous injury
• Osteoarthritis is painful as the hip joint becomes stiff and inflamed when the smooth lining between the joints gets damaged or wears away
• Without the protection of this important lining, the rough surfaces of your bones rub together, causing pain
• Everyday tasks like going for a walk or even getting dressed become difficult
• Unfortunately there’s no cure for osteoarthritis and it can get worse with time
• However joints like the hip/s can be replaced successfully, improving your mobility and reducing pain.

During the procedure

• A variety of anaesthetic techniques are used and prior to your operation the anaesthetist will discuss these options with you
• Your surgeon’s choice of prosthesis will be based on several factors such as age, level of activity and current health
• Both cemented and uncemented replacements are used at The Vale Hospital
• If you have concerns be sure and ask your surgeon about his prosthesis choice
• Your surgical wound will be closed with stitches, staples or steri-strips.

After your hip surgery

• Once your operation is over, you’ll be taken to the recovery room until you awake
• Your wound, blood pressure and pulse will be checked carefully
• You will have a large dressing covering your wound
• Let our nurse know if you are in pain
• You may have a small tube coming out of your wound, this is to drain away any excess fluid
• You may also have a drip (infusion) going into your arm
• The trip will keep you hydrated until you are able to drink and can also be used to give you pain relief
• When you are stable and comfortable, a nurse will take you back to your private patient room.

Back in your private room

• Once back in your room, our nurses will continue to check on you
• Try not to touch or disturb your dressings as this can introduce infection
• If you notice any bleeding or are experiencing pain, please speak to one of our nurses
• After you’ve recovered from the effects of the anaesthetic, you are free to have something to eat and drink
• While you are in bed, you may have help with the circulation in your legs, in order to prevent clots (DVT)
• The first day or so you could wear boots on your legs that are inflated with air
• You will also wear support stockings to help your circulation and may have daily injections or tablets to help prevent blood clotting that may continue for up to 6 weeks
• We may encourage you to move your legs if you are able
• You may have some deep breathing exercises to do, to help prevent any chest issues post-surgery
• The day after surgery you will have an X-ray of your new hip to check its position
• Don’t forget to wash your hands with soap after going to the toilet.

Getting up for the first time post surgery

• We understand that you may be anxious about getting up for the first time, however we will be available to support and guide you
• The reason for getting you moving is to improve your circulation and avoid stiffness
• You may be feeling tender and sore, but you can get pain relief medication to deal with any discomfort if required
• Once out of bed, you will continue to wear support stockings to help your circulation
• Physiotherapists will work with you during your hospital stay to help give you the best start with your new hip joint.

Going home after your hip replacement procedure

• A physiotherapist will give you some exercises to carry out 
• These are important to help you make a good recovery
• You may require crutches or walker
• When you are able to walk up and down stairs, you will be free to go home
• You won’t be able to drive initially, so you will need someone to collect you from hospital
• It’s usual to return to see your consultant as an outpatient
• You may also need to have stitches removed. You’ll be given information about these appointments before you are discharged
• We’ll also give you some pain relief medication
• When you get home, you will be tired and should rest
• However it’s also important to gradually increase your physical activity each day, (using the exercises our physiotherapist showed you)
• These will help to reduce stiffness and improve strength
• Keep using a walker, crutches or a walking stick until you feel confident
• To help you regain mobility, we recommend that you take any pain relief medication we have prescribed
• Continue taking this until you are pain free.

So you don’t damage your new hip and to help your wound heal, you may be asked to follow a few restrictions for the first six weeks of your recovery:

• Avoid bending your new hip beyond 90 degrees
• Avoid rolling your leg towards the other leg
• Avoid crossing your legs
• Avoid twisting on your new hip when standing
• Use the shower instead of the bath
• Keep wearing your support stockings - you may have to do so for four to six weeks.

Most people make a good recovery and return to normal activities following hip replacement, however as with any surgery there can be complications:

• Pain
• Bleeding
• Infection of the surgical site (incision)
• Scarring
• Blood clots (DVT - deep vein thrombosis)
• Difficulty passing urine
• Chest infection
• Heart attack
• Stroke.

Specific complications of hip replacement might include:

• Split in the femur
• Nerve damage around the hip
• Damage to the blood vessels around the hip
• Infection in the hip
• Loosening of the replacement
• Bone forming in muscles around the replacement
• Dislocation
• Leg length difference.

Other types of hip replacement:

Mako® robotic-arm assisted surgery

This type of hip replacement uses robotic-arm assisted technology for greater accuracy. The use of this technology has been shown to result in shorter hospital stays, smoother recovery and increased satisfaction.

In the weeks before your operation, the Mako® robotic-arm processes information taken from a 3D CT scan of your joint to generate a 3D virtual model of your joint. Your consultant then plans the operation to be within fractions of a millimetre with the help of the robotic-arm assisted technology.

During the operation, your consultant is always in control. The robotic-arm assisted technology allows the consultant to perform the joint replacement with pinpoint accuracy. The consultant uses the technology as an extension of his or herself, guiding surgical tools to the correct position. The robotic-arm assisted technology does not perform the surgery on its own.

Higher accuracy during surgery means the replacement fits as well as it possibly can and ensures the joint functions as normally as possible after surgery. It's been shown to result in a shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery and higher satisfaction. There's also strong evidence of decreased pain and fewer complications following surgery.

After your surgery, your consultant will set goals with you to get your back on the move. This is important to help you make a good recovery.

Who is robotic hip replacement surgery suitable for?

Robotic knee replacement surgery may not be appropriate for all patients. Your consultant will advise you on the best treatments for your condition.