Delhi: 58-yr-old man undergoes rare hip replacement

Delhi: A 58-year-old man weighing 125 kg has successfully undergone a rare and complex total hip replacement surgery at Fortis Escorts, Delhi, after suffering from severe hip pain for three years due to advanced avascular necrosis.

Avascular necrosis is a condition in which bone tissue dies because of an interrupted blood supply. The surgery, led by Dr Kaushal Kant Mishra, Director – Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement, lasted around 50 minutes.

The patient was discharged in stable condition just four days later. Such cases are uncommon due to the challenges of performing hip replacements on overweight patients, which involve higher surgical risks and post-operative complications.

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The patient, diagnosed with avascular necrosis in July 2022, had earlier undergone core decompression surgery at a city hospital but continued to suffer from debilitating pain and difficulty walking.

By the time he arrived at Fortis Escorts, his pain had severely impacted his mobility and quality of life. X-rays and MRI scans confirmed advanced-stage avascular necrosis, and a total hip arthroplasty was recommended.

Following the surgery, the patient’s mobility improved, and his weight reduced from 125 kg to 123.3 kg within a week, further dropping to 119.2 kg after three weeks.

Explaining the procedure, Dr Kaushal Kant Mishra said, “Overweight patients, particularly those exceeding 100 kg, are often hesitant to undergo joint replacement, and surgeons approach such cases with caution due to increased risks such as infection, dislocation, and poor outcomes.”

“Positioning and operating on a patient of this weight category is complex, but timely intervention was essential to avoid permanent disability. Once mobility is restored, weight naturally decreases, as seen in this case. This successful outcome shows that even patients with higher body weight can safely undergo joint replacement if medically fit,” he said.

“The patient was allowed full weight bearing the day after surgery,” Dr Mishra concluded.

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Dr Vikram Aggarwal, Facility Director at Fortis Escorts, Delhi, added, “This was a challenging surgery due to the patient’s weight. However, the timely intervention and the expertise of our medical team have given him a fresh chance at an active, pain-free life. This case highlights our commitment to delivering advanced medical care and brings hope to patients seeking complex treatments.”