Hip operation
Our expert surgeons perform your hip operation under the best possible conditions, ensuring the procedure is performed safely.
The hip plays a vital role in mobility, balance and independence in everyday life. It is involved in every movement we make: walking, sitting down, standing up, climbing stairs or playing sport. When it is painful or unstable, our overall quality of life is affected.
This is why International Elite Care offers a specialised approach to hip surgery, designed for international patients seeking medical excellence and complete peace of mind. Our commitment rests on recognised surgical expertise, a structured and fluid care pathway, and attentive support at every stage of the journey.
The goal is clear: to provide reliable, personalised solutions in a reassuring environment, so that patients can regain comfort, mobility, and quality of life. This exacting approach is built for patients who want to find the best orthopaedic hip surgeon for their condition.
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Dr. Thomas Ripoll
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Hip surgery advanced techniques for better surgical outcomes
The surgeons at International Elite Care have mastered the latest hip surgery techniques, which are more precise and gentler on surrounding tissues. These modern advances result in smaller incisions and optimise recovery after the procedure.
Minimally invasive surgery and joint-preserving procedures
Whenever the clinical situation allows, our surgeons favour minimally invasive techniques and joint-preserving procedures. These approaches limit the impact of surgery on muscles and surrounding tissues while effectively treating the underlying condition.
They are particularly suited to certain hip pathologies, such as femoroacetabular impingement (hip impingement) or labral tears, where the natural joint can be preserved. The key benefits include:
- Reduced post-operative pain
- Faster functional recovery
- Early mobilisation and return to walking
- Smaller, more discreet scars
Minimally invasive surgery makes it possible to offer a hip operation with a significantly reduced convalescence period.
Hip arthroscopy
Hip arthroscopy is a modern technique performed through tiny incisions, using a camera and specialised instruments. It allows the surgeon to work precisely inside the joint while minimising surgical trauma. It is indicated in the management of:
- Femoroacetabular impingement
- Labral tear
- Certain types of hip chondropathy
This technique reduces post-operative pain and accelerates the return to normal activities.
Prosthetic hip surgery
When the joint is too severely damaged, prosthetic surgery provides lasting pain relief and restores mobility. Several hip arthroplasty options may be proposed depending on the clinical situation:
- Total hip replacement
- Partial hip replacement
The implants used are modern, reliable, and long-lasting. They are selected according to the patient’s anatomy, age, activity level, and functional expectations, in order to achieve a stable and natural result over the long term.
After this type of hip surgery, rehabilitation typically spans several months. However, patients usually resume walking within the first few days, with a progressive improvement in mobility over the following weeks. Hip operation recovery time varies according to the procedure performed and the patient’s individual profile.
Revision surgery and advanced techniques
Certain situations require particularly specialised surgical expertise, especially in cases of:
- Hip prosthesis revision
- Prosthesis loosening (aseptic loosening)
- Hip prosthesis dislocation
These complex procedures are carried out by our highly specialised surgeons, who have extensive experience in revision surgery.
This type surgery involves a longer hip operation recovery and convalescence than other surgical techniques.
Hip operations: a bespoke approach
International Elite Care supports you before, during, and after hip operations. Every step of the care pathway is meticulously organised to ensure your well-being and peace of mind.
Before the procedure: preparing with confidence
Care begins well before arrival. A pre-operative teleconsultation provides an in-depth initial discussion with the surgeon, a review of medical imaging and test results, and confirmation of the recommended treatment plan.
At the same time, full medical and administrative coordination is put in place:
- Centralisation of the medical file,
- Organisation of any additional examinations if required,
- Assistance with arrangements related to the medical stay.
In addition, the stay itself is entirely personalised:
- Airport transfers,
- Accommodation (hotel, apartment, or clinic),
- Option to travel with a companion.
During hospitalisation: a premium medical environment for private hip operations
The procedure is performed in clinics and facilities selected for their exceptional standards, meeting the strictest Western medical requirements. These establishments offer a secure, comfortable environment that is conducive to recovery. The aim is to carry out your private hip operations in an outstanding hospital or a clinic of excellence.
Throughout hospitalisation, the patient benefits from:
- Attentive medical supervision,
- Dedicated and available care teams,
- Discreet, professional, and compassionate support.
In addition, and subject to the surgeons’ recommendations, exclusive experiences (gourmet dining, golf, yacht outings, private visits) can be arranged to enrich your medical stay and turn your convalescence into a restorative interlude.
After the procedure: structured follow-up
Care continues after surgery, with a rehabilitation programme tailored to the type of procedure and the patient’s profile. Protocols are individualised to support an appropriate and progressive recovery.
Particular attention is given to continuity of care after returning to the home country:
- Organised medical follow-up,
- Remote consultations when necessary,
- Coordination with local healthcare professionals.
Our answers to your questions about hip surgery
Find out more about hip surgery and the care pathway with International Elite Care.
What are the risks of a hip operation?
As with any surgical procedure, a hip operation carries certain risks. These remain rare when the surgery is performed by a specialised team in a high-level medical environment. The main possible risks include:
– Infection,
– Deep vein thrombosis or embolism,
– Persistent stiffness or pain,
– Dislocation or wear of a prosthesis in certain cases.
A thorough pre-operative assessment, expert surgical technique, and structured follow-up by the orthopaedic hip surgeon significantly reduce these risks.
How long does a hip operation take to recover from?
After a hip operation, recovery depends on several factors: the condition treated, the surgical technique used (arthroscopy, prosthesis, revision), and the patient’s age and general health.
As an indication, here is the expected recovery after hip arthroscopy:
As a guide, here is the expected recovery timeline following hip arthroscopy:
– Walking with partial weight-bearing: from the very first days
– Resuming comfortable walking: approximately 2 to 4 weeks
– Resuming normal daily activities: 3 to 6 weeks
– Resuming sporting activities (depending on the specific activity): 3 to 6 months
With a hip replacement (total or partial), the return to movement is often quicker and more unrestricted, but work needs to be done to ensure long-term muscle stability:
– Full weight-bearing: on the same day or the following day
– Walking with assistance: 2 to 3 weeks
– Walking unaided: 4 to 6 weeks
– Comfortable daily living: 4 to 8 weeks
– Stabilised functional outcome: 3 to 6 months
Recovery is always supported by a personalised rehabilitation programme.
Is outpatient hip surgery possible?
Yes. In carefully selected cases, particularly for less invasive procedures such as hip arthroscopy, outpatient surgery may be an option for patients in good general health. The decision is always made on a case-by-case basis with the medical team.
Will the scar from a hip operation be visible?
Modern techniques, especially minimally invasive approaches, help to limit the size of incisions. The scars left after a hip operation are generally smaller, discreet, and positioned so as to be less noticeable. Over time, and with appropriate care, they tend to fade progressively. The surgeon always discusses the expected location and appearance of scars with the patient before the procedure.
How can I find a hip specialist?
International Elite Care connects you with specialist hip surgeons practising in France. Support includes a pre-operative teleconsultation, full organisation of the care pathway, and structured follow-up. Do not hesitate to contact us to find the best hip surgeon in France for your specific condition. Wondering about hip operation cost? Our team provides transparent information tailored to your individual treatment plan.
Ready to start your journey?
From your country of residence, benefit from a teleconsultation with an expert surgeon and coordinated care in France or Andorra, with every detail of your medical stay carefully organised.