Rarest of the Rare medical Condition: 16-Year-Old, Youngest in Region Undergoes successful Hip Replacement Surgery

• Suffering from a very rare condition, ‘Absorption of the head of the Femur following neglected fracture of the neck of the femur’ patient now able to without any deformity

• Apollo Hospital Lucknow becomes first in the region to perform THR on patient at such young age

TIL Desk Lucknow:In a landmark medical achievement, Apollo Hospitals Lucknow has successfully performed a Total Hip Replacement (THR) on a 16-year-old boy, making him the youngest patient in the region to undergo this complex procedure.

The patient had suffered a hip fracture at the age of nine years. Due to financial constraints, he was unable to receive timely treatment, leading to the gradual deterioration and complete absorption of the hip joint bone (femoral head). This resulted in persistent pain, shortening of the affected leg, contractures around the hip joint and significant difficulty in walking.

“When the child came to us, he was in immense pain and limping. His gait and shortened contracted limb was also affecting his other hip & back posture,” stated Col (Dr.) Narinder Kumar, Director Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Apollo Hospitals Lucknow.

“Typically, hip replacement is performed in the later stages of life. However, the severity of his condition and his continuous suffering necessitated immediate intervention. We thoroughly explained the benefits and potential risks of the surgery to his family.”

Dr. Mayank Somani, MD & CEO, Apollo Hospitals Lucknow, highlighted the hospital’s advanced capabilities. “At Apollo Hospitals Lucknow, we are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and advanced instruments along with experienced surgical teams who routinely deal with challenging cases referred from all over the region. In this case, we used an ultramodern implant featuring a titanium socket and stem with the latest Delta ceramic ball, ensuring superior functionality and longevity. This technology is especially effective in complex surgeries. The surgery lasted approximately one and a half hours, and the patient was discharged after a five-day hospital stay. Thanks to this successful surgery, he is now able to walk without support and pain a few weeks post-operation.””

Dr. Kumar explained that the medical term for the patient’s condition is “Absorption of the head of the Femur following neglected fracture of the neck of the femur”, a very rare condition. He emphasized that performing a hip replacement on a child this young is unusual as bone development is typically not complete. It is extremely challenging due to poor strength of already deformed bone as well as contractures of muscles and ligament around the joint compromising the stability of the joint.

However, such replacements are now being initiated in these cases as they aid in weight-bearing and overall physical development. “The patient can now bear his body weight on his legs in a balanced manner, which will contribute to better height and physical growth as well as prevent any spinal deformity” Dr. Kumar noted.

He also referenced ‘Wolff’s Law’ in orthopedics, stating, ‘Form follows function.’ “Now that the hip is functioning correctly, the shape of the patient’s bone will also improve with age, and the deformity will reduce,” Dr. Kumar concluded.