Vietnamese Healthcare Attracts International Patients: NZ Woman Undergoes Successful Hip Replacement

A 51-year-old woman from New Zealand has successfully undergone hip replacement surgery at Viet Duc Hospital in Vietnam, demonstrating a rapid recovery. She had suffered from hip pain for nearly a decade and faced a four-year waiting list for surgery in her home country. The estimated self-funded surgery cost in New Zealand was around 40,000 NZD. After researching the expertise of Vietnamese doctors and the quality of treatment, she chose Viet Duc Hospital. Upon admission, her left hip joint was completely destroyed. Her weight of nearly 100 kg also increased the complexity of anesthesia and surgery. Doctors diagnosed her with avascular necrosis of the femoral head and end-stage hip osteoarthritis, conditions potentially linked to impaired blood supply to the bone, trauma, autoimmune diseases, prolonged corticosteroid use, or obesity. The surgical team opted for a total hip replacement using a minimally invasive technique. Despite the thicker soft tissue in the hip region requiring a deeper approach than usual, the doctors performed the surgery with an incision of only about 5-6 cm. This approach minimized soft tissue damage, reduced post-operative pain, and shortened the recovery period. She began rehabilitation exercises on the second day after surgery and, after approximately one week of treatment, her wound healed well, her legs were balanced, and she was able to walk independently without pain. The patient expressed that before the surgery, her life was nearly overturned by persistent pain, but post-operation, she feels she has been given a new lease on life, believing she can run again within three months. Associate Professor Nguyen Manh Khanh, Deputy Director of Viet Duc Hospital and Head of the Department of Orthopedics 1, noted that this case reflects a growing trend of international patients choosing Vietnam for treatment in highly specialized fields. He stated that many domestic medical facilities have mastered modern techniques in hip replacement, offering effective treatments at reasonable costs and with faster service access compared to some other countries.