Medically reviewed by Dr. L. Bharath , Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Bharath Orthopaedics
Hip pain can slow down your whole day. Getting up from a chair, walking to the kitchen, even turning over in bed can start to hurt. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone, and you do have options.
This page explains the common causes of hip pain, the hip procedures in Chennai available for different conditions, and what to expect from surgery and recovery. It is written and reviewed by Dr. Bharath Loganathan, an orthopaedic surgeon who has performed thousands of joint replacement surgeries in Chennai over the past 20 years.
Why Your Hip May Be Hurting
The hip is a ball and socket joint. It carries your body weight every time you stand, walk, or climb stairs. Over time, or after an injury, this joint can wear down. Here are the most common reasons patients come to us with hip pain.
- Osteoarthritis This is the most common cause of hip pain in older adults. The smooth cartilage that cushions the joint slowly wears away, so bone starts rubbing against bone. This leads to pain, stiffness, and swelling that gets worse over time.
- Rheumatoid arthritis This is different from osteoarthritis. It happens when the body’s own immune system attacks the joint lining by mistake. It can cause pain and swelling in both hips at once, and often affects other joints too.
- Avascular necrosis Sometimes the blood supply to part of the hip bone gets cut off. Without blood, that part of the bone slowly dies and can collapse. This can happen after an injury, from long term steroid use, or for reasons doctors cannot always explain.
- Hip fractures A fall or accident can crack or break the hip bone. This is especially common in older adults with weaker bones, and it usually needs prompt treatment.
Hip dysplasia Some people are born with a hip socket that does not fully cover the ball of the thighbone. This can lead to wear and pain later in life, even if it caused no problems in childhood.
Treatment Options We Offer
Not every hip problem needs surgery right away. Dr. Bharath Loganathan looks at your age, activity level, X-rays, and how much the pain is affecting your daily life before recommending a treatment plan.
Non-surgical care
For milder cases, we often start with:
- Pain relief medication and anti-inflammatory drugs
- Physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles around the hip
- Weight management to reduce load on the joint
- Walking aids or activity changes to ease daily strain
- Joint injections in some cases, to reduce pain and delay surgery
Surgical options
When conservative treatment is no longer enough, surgery can restore movement and relieve pain. The right procedure depends on your condition, age, and bone health.
- Total hip replacement Both the ball and socket of the hip are replaced with artificial parts. This is the most common surgery for advanced arthritis, avascular necrosis, or a badly damaged hip, and it offers long lasting relief.
- Partial hip replacement Only the damaged head of the thighbone is replaced, while the natural socket is kept. This is often used for hip fractures in elderly patients, and recovery tends to be quicker than a full replacement.
- Revision hip replacement If an older hip implant wears out or comes loose, it needs to be replaced with a new one. This is a more complex surgery that calls for an experienced joint replacement surgeon.
- Hip arthroscopy A small camera is inserted through a tiny cut to look inside the joint and treat problems like labral tears or impingement. This is usually suited to younger, more active patients.
- Hip resurfacing Instead of replacing the whole joint, the surface of the femoral head is capped with metal, preserving more of your natural bone. This can suit younger patients who want to stay active.
What Hip Replacement Surgery Costs in Chennai
Hip replacement surgery cost in Chennai depends on several factors, including the type of procedure, the implant used, and the hospital’s facilities. Costs also vary based on how many days you need to stay admitted and what physiotherapy or follow up care is included.
Because pricing changes based on your specific case, the best way to get an accurate number is to book a consultation. We will review your X-rays and health history, then walk you through the exact costs before you decide on anything.
What Recovery Looks Like
Most patients are surprised by how quickly they can get moving again. Here is a general idea of what to expect, though your own timeline will depend on your health and the type of surgery.
- First few days: Most patients start walking with support, such as a walker, within a day or two of surgery.
- First few weeks: Physiotherapy begins early to rebuild strength and restore your range of motion.
- Three to six months: Most patients return to normal daily activities. Full recovery, including higher impact activities, can take up to six months.
- Ongoing care: Low impact exercise like walking or swimming is encouraged. High impact activities are usually best avoided to protect the new joint.
Your physiotherapy plan will be built around your goals, whether that is walking without pain, returning to gardening, or getting back to an active lifestyle.
Meet Dr. Bharath Loganathan
Dr. Bharath Loganathan is an orthopaedic surgeon based in Chennai, with over 20 years of experience in knee and hip replacement surgery. He has performed more than 13,000 knee and hip replacement procedures, treating patients across all age groups.
He trained at Stanley Medical College, Chennai (MBBS) and Grant Medical College and JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai (MS Orthopaedic Surgery), and holds an MRCS from the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh. He is a Ranawat Adult Joint Reconstruction Fellow and completed advanced hip and knee training at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, working under internationally recognised surgeons Dr. Chitranjan S. Ranawat and Dr. Amar S. Ranawat. In 2016, he became the first Indian surgeon to receive the International Rothman Ranawat Travel Fellowship.
Before returning to Chennai, Dr. Bharath worked for five years as a joint replacement surgeon at Shalby Hospitals, Ahmedabad. Since 2017, he has practised as a Senior Joint Replacement Surgeon at Dr. Soundarapandian Bone and Joint Hospital, where his work with fast track, smart knee replacement techniques has helped patients recover with less pain and quicker rehabilitation.
He is an active member of the Indian Orthopaedic Association, the Indian Society of Hip and Knee Surgeons, and a life member of the Tamil Nadu Orthopedic Association. He has also authored peer reviewed journal articles and textbook chapters on joint replacement surgery, and dedicates two weekends a month to providing orthopaedic care to underserved communities near Villupuram.