Most people who come to my clinic for a hip consultation have been living with the pain for longer than they should have. They’ve tried physiotherapy, painkillers, injections — and at some point, those stop working. When hip arthritis reaches that stage, surgery is not a last resort. It is the most effective treatment available, and for the right patient, it changes everything.

I am Dr. Zubin Mehta, an orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training from Dalhousie University in Canada and the Royal College of Surgeons in England. I practice at Fortis Hospital, Mohali and at my clinics in Zirakpur and Pathankot. Hip replacement surgery — both minimally invasive and robotic-assisted — is one of the procedures I have focused on throughout my career, and it is what most patients travel to see me for from across Chandigarh, Punjab, and the surrounding states.

This page covers everything you need to know before making a decision: what hip replacement surgery involves, who needs it, what the procedure looks like in practice, what recovery is like, what it costs, and why the surgeon you choose matters more than most people realise.

What Is Hip Replacement Surgery?

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The ball is the top of your thigh bone (femur), and the socket is a cup-shaped cavity in your pelvis (the acetabulum). In a healthy hip, both surfaces are coated with smooth cartilage that allows the joint to move freely and without friction.

When that cartilage wears down — whether from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, or injury — the bones begin rubbing against each other. The result is persistent pain, stiffness, and a gradual loss of the ability to do things that most people take for granted: walking comfortably, climbing stairs, sitting and standing without difficulty, sleeping through the night.

Hip replacement surgery removes the damaged surfaces of the joint and replaces them with implants — a metal stem inserted into the femur, a metal or ceramic ball, and a cup fitted into the pelvic socket — designed to replicate the function of a healthy hip. The goal is to eliminate the source of pain and restore movement.

For patients with the right indication, it is one of the most reliably successful procedures in all of surgery. The majority of patients report that the outcome exceeded what they expected.

When Is Hip Replacement Recommended?

Surgery is typically considered when pain is severe enough to interfere significantly with daily life and has not responded adequately to non-surgical treatment. In practice, the patients who are good candidates usually share several features:

  • Hip pain that is present during walking, during rest, and often at night
  • Stiffness that limits the range of motion — difficulty bending at the hip, putting on shoes, getting out of a car
  • X-rays showing significant loss of joint space, bone-on-bone contact, or joint deformity
  • Failure of non-surgical options: physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, activity modification
  • Pain that limits independence and quality of life in a meaningful way

The most common conditions that lead to hip replacement are osteoarthritis (by far the most frequent), rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, and post-traumatic arthritis from old fractures or dislocations. Less commonly, severe hip dysplasia or Paget’s disease of bone may also progress to joint failure requiring replacement.

Age is not a barrier. I see patients in their 40s who have severe arthritis from previous injuries or genetic joint conditions, and patients in their 80s who are otherwise in good health and benefit enormously from surgery. What matters is the clinical picture — the severity of the arthritis, the patient’s general health, and whether the expected benefit of surgery outweighs the risks.

Total Hip Replacement: What the Procedure Involves

A total hip replacement removes the entire ball of the femur and resurfaces the acetabular socket, replacing both with implant components. This is the appropriate procedure when the entire joint is significantly damaged.

The surgery is performed under spinal or general anaesthesia and typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. The approach I use — a minimally invasive technique — preserves the muscles around the hip rather than cutting through them. This is one of the most significant differences between how hip replacement is performed at my practice and how it is done conventionally.

The Minimally Invasive Approach

Traditional hip replacement uses a large incision and involves detaching or cutting through the major muscles surrounding the joint. This is effective but means those muscles need to heal after the operation, which delays recovery and limits early mobility.

The minimally invasive technique I perform works between the muscles rather than through them. The joint is accessed through a smaller incision, the muscles are moved aside rather than cut, and they return to their normal position once the implants are in place. Patients feel less pain in the early days after surgery, mobilise faster, and generally spend fewer nights in hospital.

This technique requires specific training and a higher level of surgical precision — which is one reason it is not universally offered. My fellowship training in Canada and England was specifically focused on these approaches.

Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement with Stryker Mako

For patients who are candidates, I also offer robotic-assisted hip replacement using the Stryker Mako system. Mako uses a pre-operative CT scan to build a three-dimensional model of the patient’s hip, allowing me to plan the exact size, position, and orientation of the implants before entering the operating room.

During surgery, the robotic arm provides real-time feedback and physically constrains bone removal to the pre-planned area. This means the cup and stem are placed with a precision that is not achievable by hand alone — critical because implant position directly affects how long the replacement lasts and how well the hip functions.

Research consistently shows that robotic-assisted hip replacement produces better implant positioning than conventional surgery, with reduced risk of dislocation and more natural movement post-operatively. For patients who are likely to be active for many years after their surgery, that precision matters.

What to Expect: Before, During, and After Surgery

Before Surgery

At the initial consultation, I review your X-rays and examine your hip directly. In most cases, the consultation, imaging review, and discussion of surgical options can all be completed in one appointment. If surgery is planned, you will have pre-operative blood tests, an ECG, and an anaesthesia assessment. If robotic surgery is being used, a CT scan of the hip will be arranged.

I ask patients to stop certain medications before surgery (blood thinners and some anti-inflammatories), and for patients who smoke, stopping at least six weeks before the procedure meaningfully reduces the risk of complications and improves healing.

The Day of Surgery

You will be admitted to Fortis Hospital on the day of surgery or the evening before. The procedure itself takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes. You will be in the recovery area for a few hours, and for most patients, physiotherapy begins the same day or the following morning — standing, taking a few steps, beginning to move the hip through a safe range of motion.

Most patients are comfortable walking with a frame or crutches by the end of day one. The level of pain after a minimally invasive procedure is consistently less than patients expect — the most common comment I hear in the days after surgery is that it is easier than they had anticipated.

Recovery Timeline

Recovery from hip replacement is individual, but the general trajectory for most patients is as follows:

  • Days 1–3: Walking with a frame in hospital. Supervised physiotherapy. Most patients are discharged within 2 to 3 days.
  • Weeks 1–3: Walking with crutches at home. Managing stairs. Continuing daily physiotherapy exercises independently.
  • Weeks 4–6: Most patients are walking without support or with a single cane. Driving typically resumes around this time for left-sided hip replacements in automatic vehicles, and slightly later for right-sided.
  • 3 Months: Return to most normal daily activities including light work, social engagements, walking reasonable distances.
  • 6–12 Months: Full recovery. Most patients are walking, doing moderate exercise, travelling, and reporting that they have largely forgotten they had surgery.

The minimally invasive approach consistently produces faster return to function than conventional surgery. Patients who remain otherwise active and fit tend to recover fastest.

Hip Replacement at Fortis Hospital Mohali — Why Location Matters

I perform hip replacement surgery at Fortis Hospital, Mohali — one of the best-equipped hospitals in the Chandigarh region, with a dedicated orthopaedic theatre, post-operative care unit, and rehabilitation facilities. For patients requiring hip replacement surgery in Chandigarh or Mohali, Fortis provides the infrastructure to support both complex primary replacements and revision procedures.

Patients travel to me from across North India for hip replacement — from Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Zirakpur, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Shimla, Jammu, Delhi, and Dehradun. Many come specifically because they want a fellowship-trained surgeon with specific expertise in minimally invasive and robotic techniques, rather than a general orthopaedic practice that performs these procedures occasionally.

For patients coming from outside the region, the logistics are straightforward: the initial consultation, pre-operative workup, surgery, and hospital stay can typically be organised within a single visit to Chandigarh, with follow-up available remotely or at your home location.

Hip Replacement Cost in Chandigarh

The cost of hip replacement surgery at Fortis Hospital Mohali varies depending on the type of procedure, the implant selected, and whether robotic assistance is used. As a general guide:

  • Conventional total hip replacement: ₹2.5 lakh – ₹3.5 lakh
  • Minimally invasive hip replacement: ₹3 lakh – ₹4.5 lakh
  • Robotic-assisted hip replacement (Stryker Mako): ₹4.5 lakh – ₹6 lakh

These figures include hospital stay, implant, anaesthesia, and surgical fees. A precise cost estimate is provided at the consultation once the type of procedure appropriate for your case has been determined. Cashless insurance is accepted at Fortis Hospital for most major insurers; our team can check your coverage in advance.

Why the Surgeon Makes the Difference

Hip replacement is not a procedure where all surgeons produce equivalent outcomes. The implant positioning, the soft tissue handling, the decision-making during surgery — these are skills that develop over years of focused practice, and they have a direct impact on how long the replacement lasts, whether complications occur, and how well the hip functions afterward.

My training in Canada and England was specifically in complex hip and knee reconstruction, with a focus on minimally invasive techniques that were not widely available in India at the time. I brought those techniques back to practice here — first in Pathankot, and now primarily at Fortis Mohali.

My practice is focused. I am not a general orthopaedic surgeon who occasionally performs hip replacement. The majority of what I do, every week, is hip and knee reconstruction. That focus matters for the outcomes my patients achieve.

You can read patient reviews and watch video testimonials on this site. I would also encourage you to ask me directly at your consultation about my experience with procedures similar to yours — the number I have performed, the outcomes I have seen, and any complications I have encountered. Surgeons who are confident in their results are comfortable with those questions.

Related Reading

For more detailed information on specific aspects of hip replacement, the following articles may be useful:

Book a Consultation

If you are considering hip replacement surgery in Chandigarh or Mohali, the first step is a consultation. I will review your X-rays, examine your hip, and give you a direct clinical assessment — including whether surgery is appropriate, what type of procedure would best suit your case, and what the realistic outcome looks like for you specifically.

No referral is required. Most patients from outside the Chandigarh area can complete the consultation and preliminary workup in a single visit. To book, call +91 79735 06344 or use the contact form on this website.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a hip replacement last?

Modern hip replacement implants are designed to last 20 to 25 years or more in the right patient. Longevity depends on implant positioning, the patient’s activity level, body weight, and the quality of bone. Robotic-assisted techniques improve implant positioning accuracy, which is one of the primary factors in long-term durability.

What is the minimum age for hip replacement surgery?

There is no minimum age. Suitability is based on the clinical condition, not age. I have performed hip replacement on patients in their late 30s with severe avascular necrosis, and on patients in their 80s with osteoarthritis. Younger patients need careful discussion about activity levels and implant longevity, but age alone is not a contraindication.

What is the difference between minimally invasive and robotic hip replacement?

Minimally invasive refers to the surgical approach — accessing the hip through a smaller incision, between rather than through the muscles. Robotic-assisted refers to the technology used to guide implant placement during surgery. These two techniques are not mutually exclusive; robotic surgery can be performed through a minimally invasive approach, which is what I do for appropriate candidates.

How soon can I walk after hip replacement surgery?

Most patients begin standing and taking their first steps on the day of surgery or the following morning, with the support of a physiotherapist and walking frame. Walking independently with crutches typically begins within a few days. Walking without any support usually follows within 4 to 8 weeks depending on progress.

Is hip replacement surgery safe?

Hip replacement is a well-established procedure with a long safety record. Serious complications — including deep infection, blood clots, nerve injury, and dislocation — occur in a small minority of patients. Your pre-operative assessment is specifically designed to identify and minimise your individual risk factors. Minimally invasive techniques reduce blood loss and soft tissue trauma, which contributes to a lower complication profile compared to conventional approaches.

Which hospital do you operate at in Chandigarh?

I perform hip replacement surgery at Fortis Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali, which is in the Chandigarh tricity area (Phase 8, Mohali). I also consult at Zirakpur and at Raj Hospital, Pathankot. Patients from Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali, and the wider Punjab and Himachal region all find Fortis Mohali conveniently accessible.