The hip replacement that gave an Ecuadorian patient his life back

• Living with osteoarthritis of the hip can make days unbearable because of pain and limit basic daily activities.
• In a hip replacement, the injured cartilage and bone are removed and replaced with new artificial parts.
• The prostheses can be made of titanium, cobalt-chrome, and even ceramic.

Bucaramanga, September 2022. The incredible fear that the Ecuadorian José Vicente Endara has felt for any surgery. This has caused him to live with severe pain in his right hip and leg for several years. After several tests performed by the orthopedist in his hometown Guayaquil, the diagnosis showed José suffered from osteoarthritis in this joint. From that point, he started to struggle with his daily life. 

Activities like adjusting his shoes, going to the bathroom, or taking off his clothes were challenging because of his situation. The pain, José points out, was unbearable. "After spending 11 long and painful years with a really terrible quality of life, I decided to have surgery. It was not easy. First, I visited at least five other doctors to find another solution, but they all came to the same conclusion: a hip replacement was necessary," says the patient.

A decision was made, despite the fear. Now the challenge was to find the place where the procedure would be performed with absolute confidence and peace of mind. "The medical insurance company did a research (search) from Ecuador to see the best possibilities in the region, and they give me the option of the Hospital Internacional de Colombia, HIC, with Dr. Luis Alberto Salazar," Endara affirms. 

The paperwork was finished, and the day arrived for José. He traveled 832 kilometers from Ecuador to Colombia. Five days after his arrival and had his surgery at the HIC. The nerves, he says, were inexplicable. "Even my jaw was trembling. I even thought about returning", However, he plucked up his courage and put his well-being above his fears. His surgery was performed.

His days changed, he says, and happiness was once again his companion. He can now walk, go out with his wife and even play basketball, his favorite sport. "At this point, I feel as if I have come back to life, it is to have a life without pain and happy to know that I can do again the things I couldn't do before. Living with pain is not living," he says.

This is how hip replacement surgery is performed.

Generally, patients who receive a hip replacement suffer from some degenerative disease, such as osteoarthritis, or have suffered a fracture. Dr. Luis Alberto Salazar, an orthopedist at the Hospital Internacional de Colombia, assures that these types of conditions occur, in most cases, in older adults, making it necessary to perform the intervention in these cases. 

"The objective of this joint replacement is to eliminate pain and improve the patient's quality of life. When a hip replacement is performed, it is because it has already reached its most terminal stage of damage that does not allow a comfortable life," assures the orthopedist.

The surgery, which can take two to three hours, involves implanting a custom-fitted prosthesis into the affected joint. The surgeon removes the damaged cartilage and bone of the hip joint and replaces them with new artificial pieces. These elements are made from various materials, including titanium, cobalt-chromium, and ceramic. "The components are tested before installing the definitive ones, and when one is sure that they have a good function and that the hip is stable, the definitive elements are implanted," says Salazar.

For recovery, patients may take three to four weeks until they are able to walk without assistance unless they suffer from some comorbidity or are dependent on elements such as canes or walkers for their mobility, according to the orthopedist.

Physical activity is also part of their recovery and rehabilitation process. "It is mandatory to do exercises, which activate the muscles and improve the circulatory system so that the patient recovers functionality and is capable of self-care and returning to work."