Clear guidance on surgery, rehabilitation, and care coordination in China
Hip Replacement
CMT Health coordinates access to orthopedic resources in China, with practical information for international patients covering assessment, surgery, rehabilitation, and the wider care journey.
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Treatment Advantages In China
Shorter Waiting Times
The reference pathway in which surgery may be arranged within 1-2 weeks of arrival. Actual scheduling is subject to the receiving hospital's current assessment and confirmation.
Established Surgical And Rehabilitation Pathways
Major orthopedic centers provide joint-replacement care and enhanced-recovery pathways. The receiving specialist determines the individual plan after assessment.
Transparent Costs
A reference cost range for total hip replacement. The hospital's written quotation determines the actual implant, surgery, hospitalization, and follow-up costs.
Quick Overview
Basic Information
View detailsTotal hip replacement replaces the damaged femoral head and acetabular surface with artificial components. Its goals are to relieve pain, improve walking and stability, and restore leg length and hip function.
Surgical Details
View detailsA 3D total hip replacement video illustrates the incision, acetabular preparation, femoral stem and implant placement, reduction, and closure.
Postoperative Rehabilitation
View detailsLong-haul international travel is not recommended immediately after total hip replacement. The receiving clinician should assess fitness to fly based on recovery.
Care Journey
- 01
Remote consultation and matching
Our care coordination team will help you confirm the receiving hospital's requirements for preparing materials and the appropriate submission channel.
- 02
Itinerary planning and preparation
dedicated personnel will assist you in signing a service agreement, applying for a medical visa, booking air tickets, and coordinating apartments/hotels near the hospital.
- 03
Arrival and landing services
pick up at the airport by private car and accompanied by bilingual staff for check-in.
- 04
Full accompaniment of in-hospital diagnosis and treatment
From examination, outpatient service to admission, we are accompanied by professional medical interpreters to ensure zero barriers to communication between doctors and patients.
- 05
Surgery and rehabilitation implementation
A team of experts perform surgery, individualized rehabilitation plans, and rehabilitation with Traditional Chinese Medicine characteristics.
- 06
Discharge and continuing care
Provide a detailed home recovery plan and regular follow-up via online videos to support your continued recovery.
Medical team
Review hospitals and specialists with relevant experience in this treatment. Availability, team composition, and admission arrangements must be confirmed with the receiving hospital.
Hospitals
Beijing Jishuitan Hospital
Beijing
Its orthopedics, hand surgery, and sports medicine programs include seven national key clinical specialties; it became a principal National Center for Orthopedics hospital in 2022.
Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital
Shanghai
Known for the world's first successful limb replantation, its orthopedic program is a national key discipline and national key clinical specialty.
West China Hospital, Sichuan University
Chengdu
Its orthopedic department, founded in 1946, is a Ministry of Education key discipline, a national key clinical specialty, and an orthopedic specialist training center.
Peking University Third Hospital
Beijing
Orthopedics is a national key clinical specialty, while its Institute of Sports Medicine is among China's earliest sports-medicine institutions.
The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University
Shijiazhuang
Orthopedics is among China's first national key clinical specialties and has developed into a comprehensive center with 13 subspecialties.
Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
Shanghai
Its orthopedic department is a national key discipline and national key clinical specialty; its work in personalized 3D-printed orthopedic implants is internationally recognized.
Xiangya Hospital, Central South University
Changsha
Its orthopedic department, established in 1952, is a national key clinical specialty and supports a national regional medical center for orthopedics.
Peking University People's Hospital
Beijing
Orthopedics and orthopedic oncology are national key clinical specialties, and trauma orthopedics is a core department of the National Center for Trauma Medicine.
Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Beijing
Its orthopedic department, founded in 1921, helped establish orthopedics as an independent specialty in China and is a national key discipline and clinical specialty.
Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Wuhan
Orthopedics is included in the national key clinical specialty program, and the hospital operates a dedicated orthopedic hospital campus.
Frequently asked questions
Q1 Is the surgery effective?
Total hip replacement is recognized as one of the most successful elective operations: literature reports that the postoperative patient satisfaction rate is about 80%-93% (the dissatisfaction rate is only 7%-20%), and the 15-year survival rate of the prosthesis is about 89%.
Q2 How long does a hip replacement usually last?
A 2019 systematic review in The Lancet estimated, from national registry data, that about 89% of hip replacements remained unrevised at 15 years, 70% at 20 years, and 58% at 25 years. Implant longevity varies by the implant and individual patient factors.
Q3 Does the surgery hurt?
Pain is managed with anesthesia and postoperative pain relief. Rehabilitation and assisted walking usually begin as advised by the surgical and rehabilitation teams, based on the patient’s condition and the hospital’s protocol.
Q4 How long will it take to return to normal life?
Walking with the help of a walker is possible 1–3 days after surgery, and most daily activities can be resumed at 3–6 weeks; driving can be done safely once opioid analgesics are discontinued and strength and reflexes return to normal, usually approximately 4–6 weeks (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Patient Guidelines).
Q5 Are there any risks with surgery?
Any surgery has risks (such as dislocation, blood clots, infection, etc.). China's tertiary hospitals strictly implement the National Health Commission's surgical operating specifications and thrombosis prevention guidelines (physical and medication-based prevention). Rehabilitation therapists provide guidance on anti-dislocation postures throughout the process, and an experienced team manages care throughout to minimize the risk of complications.
Q6 What should I do if I don’t understand the language?
We provide interpreting and accompanying services throughout the entire care journey (see "Care Journey"), and there are dedicated personnel to handle everything from medical record pre-review, remote consultation to follow-up after returning home.
Detailed information
Basic Information
What Is Total Hip Replacement?
Total hip replacement replaces the damaged femoral head and acetabular surface with artificial components. Its goals are to relieve pain, improve walking and stability, and restore leg length and hip function.
Indications And When To Seek Assessment
Persistent hip or groin pain, night pain, stiffness, limping, reduced walking distance, or limited benefit from conservative treatment may warrant assessment by a joint-replacement specialist to determine whether surgical indications are present.
- Primary or secondary osteoarthritis of the hip
- Avascular necrosis of the femoral head or problems related to femoral-neck fracture
- Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or other conditions affecting the hip
- Persistent pain or functional impairment after previous hip surgery
Surgical Details
Visual Guide To The Procedure
A 3D total hip replacement video illustrates the incision, acetabular preparation, femoral stem and implant placement, reduction, and closure.
Choosing A Hip Implant
The specialist considers age, bone quality, activity needs, and the underlying condition when assessing total or partial hip replacement, fixation method, bearing surface, and surgical approach.
- Replacement extent: total hip implant or femoral-head (partial hip) implant
- Fixation: cementless or cemented
- Bearing surface: ceramic on highly cross-linked polyethylene, ceramic on ceramic, metal on polyethylene, and other options
Postoperative Rehabilitation
Travel After Surgery
Long-haul international travel is not recommended immediately after total hip replacement. The receiving clinician should assess fitness to fly based on recovery.
In-Hospital Rehabilitation
A structured rehabilitation plan usually begins during the hospital stay and may include exercise therapy, functional training, and other clinically appropriate modalities. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)-based rehabilitation may be used alongside conventional rehabilitation when appropriate. Timing and content depend on clinical assessment.
Individual Rehabilitation Plan
The rehabilitation team develops and adjusts the plan according to age, bone quality, implant type, underlying conditions, and daily activity needs.
- Thrombosis prevention and ongoing monitoring
- Hip range-of-motion exercises and hip abductor and quadriceps strengthening
- Dislocation precautions and training in gait, stair use, and activities of daily living
- A home exercise plan after returning home
Ongoing Rehabilitation At Home
Available services may include video follow-up, online rehabilitation guidance, a home exercise plan, and remote feedback on rehabilitation exercises. Availability must be confirmed in writing.
Recovery Timeline
Reference milestones include ankle-pump exercises within hours, assisted walking on days 1-3, discharge on days 5-7, and rehabilitation over days 7-14. Most daily activities may resume over weeks 3-6, and driving may be assessed at around weeks 4-6.
