A 51-year-old New Zealand woman has regained the ability to walk after undergoing a successful total hip replacement at Viet Duc University Hospital in Hanoi, ending a decade of chronic hip pain.
Nguyen Manh Khanh checks the patient's mobility after surgery (Photo: Hospital).
The hospital announced on July 26 that the patient underwent surgery after living with progressive pain in her left hip for about 10 years.
According to Associate Professor Nguyen Manh Khanh, deputy director of Viet Duc University Hospital, the pain initially occurred only during movement but gradually became more frequent and severe, significantly affecting the patient's daily life.
She had been approved for a hip replacement in New Zealand several years ago but remained on the public healthcare waiting list.
"The patient said she had waited four years while the pain continued to worsen, severely restricting her mobility. She therefore decided to travel more than 9,000km to Vietnam for hip replacement surgery at Viet Duc University Hospital," Khanh said.
By the time she was admitted, the patient's left hip joint had been completely destroyed. She was in severe pain, could barely walk independently and relied on a wheelchair. Her weight of nearly 100kg also made anaesthesia and surgery more complex.
The operation, performed by Khanh's surgical team, used a minimally invasive total hip replacement technique.
The procedure was completed successfully through an incision measuring just five to six centimetres, helping minimise soft tissue damage and support a faster recovery.
On the second day after surgery, the patient began standing and walking with the assistance of rehabilitation therapists. After nearly a week of treatment, the surgical wound was healing well, both legs were properly aligned, she was free of pain and able to walk independently.
The patient may soon return to normal daily activities (Photo: Hospital).
Khanh said that if her recovery continues as expected, she should soon be able to resume normal daily activities, drive again and return to appropriate physical exercise.
Before the operation, the patient said she relied on crutches to walk and regularly took painkillers while continuing to work to maintain her income. Had she chosen private treatment in New Zealand, the procedure could have cost nearly NZD 40,000.
"I am taking my first steps after years of depending on crutches and pain medication. I believe that in about three months I will be able to run again. I never imagined that would become a reality," she said.
She also expressed gratitude to the medical team for supporting her throughout her treatment.
Khanh said many hospitals in Vietnam now routinely perform advanced joint replacement procedures, delivering strong clinical outcomes at significantly lower costs than in many developed countries. The growing capability is attracting an increasing number of overseas patients seeking treatment for musculoskeletal conditions in Vietnam.
