What old imaging and records already answer
When you send previous X-rays, CT scans, operation notes, and discharge summaries, the clinical team can see the original injury and the treatment that followed. For a hip fracture, the key structural fact is whether the femoral head was preserved or already replaced. Partial hip replacement replaces the femoral head, unlike total replacement of both joint surfaces. That distinction matters because it tells the surgeon which operation was done and what remains of your native socket.
Old records also show the timeline. A fracture treated months or years ago behaves differently from one treated last week. If hardware was implanted, the notes should identify the device and whether any part was later removed. If no operation was performed, the imaging shows whether the fracture healed in a deformed position or did not unite.
What old records cannot show is how the hip feels and functions today. A radiograph taken two years ago does not capture current pain, stiffness, or the distance you can walk. That gap is exactly what a new assessment is designed to fill.
What a new assessment is actually for
A new assessment is not a repeat of the original diagnosis. It is a fresh clinical question: given the current state of the hip and your general health, what are the realistic options now? The clinician will examine your gait, leg length, range of motion, and muscle strength. These findings often change the recommendation more than the old X-ray does.
The assessment also looks for problems that may have developed since the original injury. Persistent pain after a healed fracture can come from post-traumatic arthritis, a damaged femoral head, or irritation from retained hardware. Infection is another possibility that requires specific tests, not just an X-ray. Each of these has a different treatment path, and partial hip replacement is not automatically the answer for all of them.
Finally, the assessment considers your overall fitness for surgery. Heart and lung function, diabetes control, and current medications all influence whether an operation is safe and which type is preferred. This is why a records-based opinion and an in-person assessment answer different questions.
Why the distinction between partial and total replacement matters here
Partial hip replacement replaces the femoral head, unlike total replacement of both joint surfaces. If your socket is healthy and the problem is confined to the femoral head, a partial replacement may be considered. If the socket is also damaged, a total replacement may be more appropriate. The old imaging helps show which situation applies, but the final decision depends on the current condition of the bone and cartilage.
This is not a choice you can make from a report alone. The surgeon needs to see the quality of the bone, the state of the acetabulum, and whether any previous hardware is still in place. If you have already had a partial replacement and it is now failing, the question becomes revision surgery rather than a first-time procedure. That is a different operation with different risks.
Ask the clinical team to explain, in plain terms, which parts of your hip are damaged and which are intact. That explanation is the foundation for understanding why one procedure is proposed over another.
What to send before asking for a records-based opinion
A useful records-based opinion depends on the quality and completeness of what you send. Start with the original injury imaging and the most recent imaging you have. Include the radiology reports, not just the images, because the measurements and impressions help the reviewer. Operation notes and discharge summaries matter most if you had surgery, because they identify the implant, the approach used, and whether any part was later removed.
The reason to send the most recent imaging alongside the original is that the two answer different questions. The original shows the fracture pattern and the state of the femoral head at the time of injury. The recent film shows how the hip looks now, after whatever healing or hardware has occurred. A reviewer comparing them can see change over time, which a single film cannot show.
Also send a short summary of your current situation: when the fracture happened, what treatment you received, what symptoms you have now, and what you can and cannot do physically. List your current medications and any relevant conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or previous infections. This is not a complete medical archive; it is the minimum needed for a meaningful review.
If you do not have certain records, say so rather than waiting until you have everything. The clinical team can tell you whether the missing item is essential or whether the review can proceed without it. Do not delay a local assessment of a new or worsening problem while gathering documents for an overseas enquiry.
One practical point about imaging files: many hospitals release images on a disc or through a portal link rather than as printed films. Ask the records department what format they provide and whether the radiology report is included. If you can only obtain the report and not the images, send the report and note that the images are pending. A report alone is less useful for judging bone quality or hardware position, but it still tells the reviewer what was found and when.
- Original injury imaging and the most recent imaging available
- Radiology reports for those images
- Operation notes and discharge summaries if surgery was performed
- A short current-symptom and function summary
- Current medication list and relevant medical conditions
Questions that only the treating clinician can answer
Several questions cannot be answered from records alone, and it is important to know which ones require an in-person assessment. Whether you need surgery at all, which procedure is suitable, and what the risks are for your specific situation are clinical decisions. A remote review can offer an opinion, but it does not establish final eligibility or hospital acceptance.
Ask the clinician what the new assessment will include, what tests may be needed, and how the findings will change the plan. If infection is a concern, ask which tests are used to rule it out. If you have already had a partial replacement, ask whether revision is being considered and why.
You should also ask about your mobility before and after any proposed treatment. Partial hip replacement is not a guarantee of returning to a particular level of activity. The treating team can discuss realistic expectations based on your examination and imaging, but no outcome is guaranteed.
Planning the enquiry without delaying urgent care
If you have a new or recent fracture, or sudden inability to bear weight, seek local urgent assessment first. An overseas enquiry should not delay necessary care. For an old fracture that is stable, the enquiry can proceed at a planned pace.
When you contact a coordination service, share a brief summary and the key records described above. The initial enquiry is free and does not require buying a proxy consultation. The team can check what you have, identify missing information, and suggest the relevant next step. Hospital consultation fees, tests, treatment, and rooms are paid to the hospital or provider; coordination fees are separate.
The hospital decides suitability after reviewing your records and, where needed, examining you in person. Ask for the scope of any written estimate in advance so you understand what is included, what is excluded, and what remains undecided. The related procedure reference in the links below explains how partial hip replacement is described on this site.
Sources & scope of this guide
References and official service information relevant to this guide.
This is general planning information and has not been individually reviewed by a doctor. Medical decisions and personal treatment advice come from your treating clinicians.