Hip Replacement Surgery in Berlin
Artificial hip joint for advanced hip osteoarthritis and severe pain
- Consultation on hip replacement for advanced hip osteoarthritis
- Implantation of artificial hip joints and revision prostheses
- Surgery, planning and aftercare by Prof. Dr. med. Hanno Steckel
When the hip joint is severely worn, pain and limited mobility can place a significant burden on everyday life. Those affected feel the symptoms when walking, climbing stairs, getting up, putting on shoes or lying down at night. Advanced hip osteoarthritis is frequently the cause.
A hip replacement may be an option when conservative treatments no longer help sufficiently. During surgery, the worn femoral head and the damaged hip socket are replaced with artificial components. The goal is to relieve pain, regain mobility and make the hip more resilient again.
At MVZ VITALIS in Berlin-Buckow, we advise you on hip replacement, assess the medical necessity and support you from diagnosis and surgical planning through to aftercare.
When a hip replacement may make sense
Not every case of hip osteoarthritis requires surgery. Especially in earlier stages, conservative treatments such as physical therapy or hyaluronic acid injections can help. A hip replacement is usually only considered once these measures are no longer sufficiently effective.
Typical reasons for a hip replacement include:
When the cartilage in the hip joint is severely worn, pain, friction and limited movement can result.
Hip problems often show up in the groin. However, the pain can also radiate to the buttocks, thigh or knee.
Many people notice that they find it harder to rotate, bend or spread the leg. Putting on socks or shoes then also becomes more difficult.
Surgery may be an option when pain occurs not only under load but also at rest or at night.
The X-ray alone is not decisive. What matters is how much pain, mobility and physical capacity are actually limited.
Diagnosis and consultation before hip replacement
A hip replacement is preceded by a thorough examination. Our specialists assess mobility, pain points, gait, leg length, muscle strength and load-bearing capacity. Previous injuries, surgeries, concomitant conditions and your personal everyday situation are also taken into account.
Depending on the findings, X-rays, MRI scans or further examinations are added. It is important that symptoms, examination and imaging are consistent. Only then can it be reliably assessed whether an artificial hip joint makes sense or whether conservative measures should remain the focus.
During the consultation, we discuss which prosthesis is suitable, how the procedure works, what risks exist and what patients can realistically expect.
How does hip replacement surgery work?
Hip surgery is carefully planned in advance. Among other things, the hip socket, thighbone, bone quality, leg length and joint mechanics are assessed.
During the procedure, the damaged femoral head is removed. The surgeon then prepares the hip socket and inserts the artificial socket. Next, the thighbone is prepared for the prosthetic stem. Finally, the prosthetic head and joint are brought together, mobility and stability are tested and the position is checked.
The exact duration of the operation can vary depending on the findings and the method. The procedure often takes about an hour, and longer in more complex situations.
Minimally invasive hip replacement surgery
In minimally invasive hip replacement surgery, the artificial hip joint is implanted through an approach that is as gentle on the tissue as possible. The aim is to preserve muscles and soft tissue as much as possible. This can support early mobilization and make it easier to start rehabilitation.
Whether a minimally invasive method is suitable depends on the findings, the anatomy and the medical starting point. Before the operation, careful planning determines which prosthesis will be used and how the socket, stem, femoral head and center of rotation should be positioned.
Revision surgery on hip replacements
A hip prosthesis can also cause problems over time. Reasons for revision surgery can include loosening, wear, instability, pain or, in rare cases, an infection.
A defective or loosened hip prosthesis can become noticeable through increasing pain, unsteadiness when walking, pain under load, limited mobility or a changed feeling in the joint. Such symptoms should be examined by a doctor.
Revision surgery on hip replacements is more demanding than the initial procedure. It requires precise diagnostics, careful planning and experience with revision implants.
Aftercare and rehabilitation
After hip replacement surgery, mobilization usually begins early. During aftercare, we check wound healing, pain progression, gait and load-bearing capacity. Physical therapy, pain therapy and a controlled increase in load help you regain stability in the leg.
Many patients also need a rehabilitation program after surgery. The goal is to put weight on the artificial hip joint safely, build up the muscles and manage everyday movements well again. How soon walking, climbing stairs, driving, work or sports are possible again depends on the procedure, the healing process and your individual starting point.
Hip surgeon Prof. Dr. med. Hanno Steckel
Hip replacement surgery performed by Prof. Dr. med. Hanno Steckel is a specialty at MVZ VITALIS.
He is a specialist in orthopedics and trauma surgery, rheumatology and special orthopedic surgery. His focus is on joint replacement, knee surgery and the treatment of complex joint conditions.
Prof. Dr. med. Hanno Steckel is lead surgeon at the joint replacement center of Westklinik Dahlem in Berlin. He specializes in minimally invasive hip replacement and has already performed more than 1,000 hip replacement surgeries.
Good to know for patients
FAQ on hip replacement surgery
A hip replacement may make sense when the hip joint is severely damaged by osteoarthritis, there is severe pain, quality of life is significantly limited as a result and conservative treatments no longer help sufficiently. The deciding factors are symptoms, mobility, load-bearing capacity and the findings on X-ray or MRI.
There is no universally "best" hip prosthesis. The best hip prosthesis is the one that fits the patient's findings, bone quality, age, activity level, build, anatomy, concomitant conditions and the condition of the hip joint. During the consultation, we assess which implant and which type of fixation make medical sense.
The duration depends on the findings, the surgical method and individual factors. Hip replacement surgery often takes about an hour. In more complex situations or revision surgery, the procedure can take longer.
A hip replacement is a surgical procedure and therefore involves risks and possible complications. These include infections, bruising, thrombosis, dislocations, leg length discrepancies, loosening, wear or persistent symptoms. In addition, no implant lasts forever. Benefits and risks are discussed in detail before the operation.
Many everyday movements are possible again after healing. However, certain restrictions usually apply in the first weeks after hip replacement so that the joint can heal in a stable position. Which movements are critical depends on the surgical approach and your doctor's recommendation. This often concerns sitting low, extreme bending, strong twisting or crossing the legs. In the long term, heavy impact loads, falls and high-risk sports should be discussed individually with your treating physician.
Many joint-friendly sports are possible again after healing, such as cycling, swimming, hiking or targeted training. Sports with a high risk of falling, heavy impact loads or abrupt changes of direction should be discussed individually with your treating physician.
How long physical therapy is needed depends on the healing process, muscle strength, gait and load-bearing capacity. Many patients first receive physical therapy in the hospital, then as part of rehabilitation and afterwards on an outpatient basis if needed.
The lifespan varies from person to person. Many modern hip prostheses function for many years. Influencing factors include bone quality, body weight, activity level, the implant, surgical technique and everyday stress on the joint.
A defective, loosened or worn hip prosthesis can become noticeable through increasing pain, pain under load, unsteadiness when walking, limited mobility or a changed feeling in the joint. Such symptoms should be examined by a doctor.
Loosening can cause pain in the groin, thigh, buttocks or deep in the hip area. The symptoms often increase under load. The exact cause can only be determined through examination and imaging.
A hip prosthesis can generally be replaced if this is medically necessary. How often a revision is possible and sensible depends on bone quality, the implant situation, infection risk, general health and previous surgeries. Every revision is more demanding than the initial procedure and must be carefully planned.
Would you like to find out whether a hip replacement is an option for your symptoms? Then feel free to book an appointment at MVZ VITALIS in Berlin-Buckow.
Book a consultation now
Do you have severe hip pain or advanced hip osteoarthritis, or has a hip replacement already been recommended to you? Then feel free to book an appointment at MVZ VITALIS in Berlin-Buckow.
During the consultation, we assess whether an artificial hip joint makes sense in your situation, which prosthesis is suitable and what the next treatment steps are.