Expert hip surgeries by Jerome Davidson

I have had the opportunity to receive specialist fellowship level training by some of the most experienced surgeons in the world at specialist centres around the world, including the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (UK), The Rizzoli Institute (Italy), Leiden University Medical Centre (Netherlands), and the Royal Adelaide Hospital (Australia).

I use techniques to minimise blood loss in surgery, this includes the use of a device called a “cell saver”. This allows me to perform hip replacement surgery in patients who cannot have a blood transfusion.

In my NHS practice, I am part of a specialised service which manages sickle cell patients with hip conditions. Here I work with consultant haematologists who have special expertise in the management of sickle cell disease.

Many patients with sickle cell disease develop avascular necrosis of the hip and subsequent severe hip arthritis. We regularly manage these conditions in our service and offer hip replacement surgery, if needed.

My NHS practice is at an Academic Teaching Hospital (Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals) here I work with multiple specialist Medical Consultants and regularly manage patients with complex medical co-morbidities, but also have significant hip problems which require surgery.

This environment allows me to manage a wide variety of patients who have complex medical problems, as well as hip problems.

If you have concerns about your hip replacement, then you should seek expert medical advice to assess whether the hip replacement is working well or if there is an issue such as it is wearing out over time.

I work as a revision hip surgeon. This means that I regularly assess patients who have hip replacements to see if they are still working as they are meant to be.

I also undertake cases to fix hip replacements when they fail or go wrong. This surgery can be challenging and often requires significant planning and the use of the latest technology such as custom-made implants.

Hip pain can be a debilitating problem. It can affect you during your activities of daily living, at work, during sport or even during your sleep.

A problem with your hip can present with pain in the front of your hip, your groin, the side of your hip, into the gluteal region, down your thighs or even into your lower back.

There are many causes of hip pain. Most do not require surgery, but it is important to get an accurate assessment to find out what your problem is. This way not only can you have a diagnosis, but also access to multiple non-surgical treatments which may help you.

In some cases, surgery may be offered to you, but you will be given all the information that you need to help you make an informed decision about what is best for you.

I work with a wide variety of expert health professionals to help you get back to your best hip health. These include sports and exercise medicine consultants, rheumatologists, radiologists, physiotherapists, osteopaths, and strength and conditioning coaches.

Arthritis of the hip joint is a condition that commonly presents with hip pain, mobility problems, and joint stiffness.

It can affect people of all ages. There are different types of arthritis. Some types often present in younger patients whereas others present as people age.

If you have arthritis, it is important to know what type you have as some forms of arthritis (inflammatory types) in the early stages can be treated successfully with medical therapy (without surgery) by specialist medial doctors (rheumatologists).

One of the most common symptoms of hip arthritis is joint stiffness

In the early stages, it may be that you notice a reduction in the range of movement in your hips when undertaking stretching exercises or performing activities such as yoga.

In more severe cases, the stiffness may stop you from bending down to pick things up off the floor or mean that you struggle to put on socks and shoes.

Some people find that their hips are stiffer first thing in the morning and ease slightly as the day goes on.

A lot of people with hip arthritis struggle with mobility issues. You may not be able to walk as far as you used to, or maybe you need to use walking aids such as a stick or a frame. Going up and down stairs can also be challenging.

For more active people, you may notice that sports that you enjoy may be harder to play, or you may not be able to hike as far as you are used to. Often after strenuous activity, your hip may be sorer the next day.

Pain is a common feature of hip arthritis. There are many different patterns of how hip pain can present. Common sites for hip arthritis pain are in the groin, around the front of the hip and into the gluteal area (at the back of the hip). The pain can start as a mild ache and range through to a severe pain that really limits your life.

How I can help

There are many ways to treat hip arthritis, including non-surgical and surgical treatments. But it is important to get an accurate assessment and diagnosis so you can best plan what is the right course of action for you with your specialist.

A hip replacement or total hip joint arthroplasty (THR or THA) is a surgical treatment for hip joint arthritis.

It is well recognised as one of the most successful operations in the world for improving quality of life.

The operation consists of replacing the damaged hip joint and replacing it with an artificial hip joint. This is a significant decision for a patient, but fortunately when performed in expert hands the results are excellent in terms of pain relief and return to activity.

There are many different types of hip replacement on the market and different methods of performing a hip replacement.