At Sir Ganga Ram Hospital New Delhi, a 23-year-old man underwent a seven-hour surgical procedure in which surgeons performed simultaneous bilateral hip replacement for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This inflammatory condition affects the spine and major joints.

He arrived at the hospital with fused hip joints and flexion contracture in his spine (hip bending). He couldn′t even sit up since the components were so heavily bonded. He could only lie down or stand up with assistance.

Dr. Anant Kumar Tiwari, unit head joint replacement center, stated that a typical hip replacement for someone with osteoarthritis is performed to reduce pain, but in the case of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), the procedure is performed to restore function due to stiffness in the affected joints as well as pain relief. He further stated that some contractures could take months to cure, even after the joint replacement.

The doctor further said that hip replacement had been proved to be a viable treatment for restoring normal joint motion in persons with AS, and that it can even aid spinal alignment by changing how people stand and walk.

In persons with AS, the bone around the hips is frequently removed during the treatment because the ball and socket of the hip become one bone. The socket region must be meticulously recreated under image intensification.

The patient stated that he was relieved to be able to walk again because he could now look forward to working and making a living. After a few months, doctors urged him to return to work.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/hospitals/man-bedridden-for-4-yrs-walks-a-day-after-surgery-in-delhi/98718359)