Norwest Hip Replacement Success

Obesity is at epidemic levels in Australia with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS2022) estimating about 66% of the population being overweight or obese.

According to the Australian Joint Replacement Registry, the rate of major complications in hip and knee replacement is also higher in obese patients (AOANJRR). The surgery itself can be technically challenging too making it difficult for such patients to seek minimally invasive methods with demonstrable benefits in the short term.

For many patients suffering from debilitating arthritis and obesity, this can place them between a rock and a hard place, as was the case with Paul*.

With years of hard work and injuries in the line of duty, the retired police officer found himself suffering from lack of mobility and pain due to hip arthritis. A weight of 250 kg made living with arthritis an uphill battle.

Most people with his degree of arthritis would consider a hip replacement but the weight made this a very big challenge for the surgeons both technically as well as the increased risk profile.

After much preparation and multiple specialist opinions, he was referred to leading Hip and Knee surgeon, A/Prof Sol Qurashi, at Norwest Private Hospital, who agreed to perform the procedure. A/Prof Sol Qurashi pioneered the minimally invasive SuperPATH hip replacement and ‘day only’ hip and knee replacements in Australia.

The patient lost an impressive 60kg ahead of surgery, however special requirements were needed to perform the surgery effectively including using two operating tables.

The procedure was successful and even though the patient was sent to intensive care as a precaution after surgery, he was up walking within hours, in fact, soon after arriving at the intensive care unit.

Encouraging patients to start moving as soon as safely possible after a minimally invasive orthopaedic procedure is part of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) methodology which allows patients to achieve functional recovery sooner.

The patient underwent rehab and is excited about being able to have a more active pain-free future.

A/Prof Qurashi said that he was delighted with the results of this surgery and that it would not have been possible without the support of the anaesthetics specialists, physicians, the team and state of the art facilities at Norwest Private Hospital.

Paul said: “Other surgeons would not consider performing a hip replacement for me due to my weight, but A/Prof Qurashi agreed to do it with a minimally invasive technique.”

“I would not have known he’d actually done the surgery if he hadn’t told me, the scar was only 8cm long and I’ve been relatively pain free since surgery.“

“I’m looking forward to being able to walk unaided again without pain.”

“The team at Norwest and the Hills where I’m doing rehab have all been fantastic, kind and friendlyand professional.”

*Patient’s name has been changed for privacy reasons.