11 Jul 2013

Mahalapye District Hospital was expected to carryout hip replacement surgeries on 16 patients this week.

The hospital’s public relations officer, Ms Pauline Bontle said in an interviw on July 9 that the Ministry of Health had brought together orthopaedic and arthroplasty surgeonsas well as other specialists to perform the surgeries.

She said adequate assessment had been done in the theatre and all necessary equipment and materials had been put in place to make sure that the surgeries would be a success. Ms Bontle said the hospital had 16 patients who were booked for operations to be conducted this week.

She said in most cases, hips were damaged by arthritis, a fracture or other common activities conditions, saying sometimes walking or getting in and out of a chair could be painful.

She said the more difficult it became for a patient to cope with everyday activities and the use of medication and walking supports was not helping, patients might consider getting heap replacement surgery.

Ms Bontle stated that hip replacement surgery was a safe and effective procedure that could relieve one of pain, increase motion and help to get back to enjoying normal, everyday activities.ENDS