Apollo perform double hip surgery on a Somalian patient, who walks freely after 31 years!

African on moon, after complex double hip replacement

The latest minimally invasive hip replacement procedure – Direct Hip Anterior (DHA), performed for the first time in India
Hyderabad, March 22nd, 2018: Orthopedic Surgeons at Apollo Health City, Jubilee Hills, led by Dr P Sharat Kumar, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, provided succor to a 53-year-old Somalian patient, Mr Mukhtar Hilowli, by performing a double hip replacement using the latest minimally invasive procedure – the Direct Hip Anterior, for the first time in India. This was announced at a press conference by Dr P Sharat Kumar and Dr Hari Prasad, President, Hospitals Division, Apollo Hospitals.

Both the hips of Mr Mukhtar Hilowli got fused following a severe bout of infection, way back in 1986. The hip joint comprises of femoral head (ball like) and acetabulum (socket). For easy movement of the hips the femoral head moves in the acetabulum. In his case due to infection in both right and left hip joints the normal cartilage on femoral head and acetabulum was destroyed and caused fusion of femoral head and acetabulum.

The two bones at the hip joint fused and became one, depriving him of the normal hip joint movement, says Dr Hari Prasad.

The fusing of hips joints led to his hips losing the natural maneuverability and made his day to day life miserable. He had an abnormal gait on account of this, which made movement on his two legs arduous. His normal routine was impaired during the prime of his life and had to endured the trauma for the last 31 years. His ordeal only amplified in recent times, as he also developed pain in both knee joints and lower back, which was due to his abnormal posture and excess stress on these joints.

After exhausting various options of treatment, he approached Dr Paripati Sharat Kumar on December 29th, 2017. After thorough examination and investigations, Mr Hilowli underwent sequential bilateral total hip replacements, with the right hip being replaced first on December 30th, 2017, followed by the left hip replacement on February 15th, 2018.

According to Dr Sharat, the conversion of a fused hip joint is extremely complex and challenging, due to excess blood loss, poor bone and soft tissue quality and difficulty in orientation as evidence of joint surface is completely obliterated. As the joints had fused more than 3 decades ago, the surgery itself was quite demanding.

In a first of its kind in India, Dr Sharat used the latest and minimally invasive procedure –Direct anterior approach. This is considered the most preferred choice in hip surgery off-late, globally. The conventional approach involves making a long incision and cutting muscle that support and stabilize hip joint. While in direct anterior approach, the muscles are

separated to reach and expose the hip joint through a 3 to 4-inch incision on the front of the hip. He elected this approach as the patient’s strength was poor around his hips and the joint stability would be further compromised by the conventional approach. Also pain and bleeding is relatively less and rehabilitation is quicker. The patient has since recovered well and is undergoing physiotherapy and rehabilitation. He is eagerly looking forward to go home and is wondering what his friends and relatives would call him now as he was for 3 decades nick named “the Crooked Gaited” says Dr Sharat.

About Apollo Hospitals

It was in 1983, that Dr. Prathap Reddy made a pioneering endeavour by launching India’s first corporate hospital – Apollo Hospital in Chennai. Now, as Asia largest and most trusted healthcare group, its presence includes 8,488 beds across 51 Hospitals, 1,586 Pharmacies, 92 Primary Care and Diagnostic Clinics, 100 Telemedicine units across 10 countries. Health Insurance services, Global Projects Consultancy, 15 colleges of Nursing and Hospital Management and a Research Foundation with a focus on global Clinical Trials, epidemiological studies, stem cell & genetic research and the first Proton Therapy Centre across Asia, Africa and Australia.

In a rare honour, the Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo’s contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2010. For more than 28 years, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. Our hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals globally for advanced medical services and research.