Mr Chatenya Chauhan treats hip arthritis, impingement, labral injury and hip pain from sport or everyday wear, at private clinics in Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, Chelmsford and London. He has been a Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon since 2002.
Hip pain has many causes and not all of them need an operation. The pages below explain the options in plain language, so you can arrive at your consultation already knowing the questions you want to ask.
Treatments for the hip
Total hip replacement
When the joint surface is worn beyond repair, a replacement reliably removes arthritic pain and restores movement. Modern implants and bearing surfaces are designed to last decades.
Hip joint injections
A guided injection can settle inflammation, confirm that the hip is the true source of your pain, and buy time before any decision about surgery is made.
Preparing and recovering
What to bring to your consultation, how to prepare your home, what the day of the operation involves and the milestones to expect in the weeks that follow.
Knee and lower limb
Mr Chauhan’s lower limb practice also covers the knee, including ligament reconstruction, cartilage preservation and joint replacement.
About Mr Chauhan’s hip practice
Mr Chauhan has more than twenty years of consultant practice in trauma and orthopaedic surgery, built around joint-preserving treatment in younger patients through to total hip replacement. He has extensive experience in hip and knee joint replacement, and completed a fellowship at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham, a nationally recognised centre for complex hip and knee surgery.
You will meet Mr Chauhan at every stage: the first consultation, the imaging review, the operation itself and each follow-up appointment. Decisions are made together, and the aim is always the treatment that gives the best long-term result rather than the quickest one.
Every hip is different. The right operation at the right time — and sometimes no operation at all — is what protects a good result twenty years from now.
What to expect
1. Consultation
A full history and examination, an honest discussion of how much the hip is limiting you, and time to ask everything you want to ask.
2. Imaging and plan
X-rays, and where needed an MRI or CT scan, reviewed with you so that you can see exactly what is happening inside the joint before anything is decided.
3. Treatment and recovery
Injection, joint preservation or replacement, followed by a rehabilitation plan and follow-up appointments with Mr Chauhan himself.
Preparing for hip surgery and recovering
This section explains what to expect at each stage, from your first consultation through to getting back to normal life. It is general guidance only — the instructions Mr Chauhan and his team give you for your own hip always take priority.
Before your consultation
Bring a list of your current medicines, any imaging you already have, and a short note of what your hip stops you doing. It helps to think in advance about your main goal, whether that is walking without pain, sleeping through the night, or returning to a particular sport. If you are self-paying you do not need a referral letter.
Preparing for surgery
You will be seen for a pre-operative assessment to check that you are fit for an anaesthetic. This is the time to sort out practical things at home: a clear route through each room, everyday items within easy reach, and someone available to help for the first week or two. Stopping smoking and keeping active beforehand both make recovery easier.
The day of your operation
You will be asked to fast beforehand and will meet your anaesthetist to discuss whether a spinal or general anaesthetic suits you best. Mr Chauhan will confirm the plan and answer any remaining questions before you go to theatre. Most hip replacement patients are helped to stand and walk with support on the same day or the following morning.
Your recovery
Physiotherapy starts almost immediately and is the single biggest factor in a good result. Expect to use crutches or sticks at first, then gradually reduce support as confidence and muscle strength return. Swelling and bruising around the hip and thigh are normal in the early weeks. Progress is steady rather than dramatic, and most people notice a clear difference month by month over the first year.
Driving, work and sport
You can drive again once you can perform an emergency stop comfortably and are no longer taking strong painkillers, and you should tell your insurer. Return to work depends on how physical your job is. Low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, swimming and golf are usually encouraged; high-impact running and contact sport are discussed individually.
Risks worth knowing about
Hip replacement is a reliable operation, but no surgery is risk free. Infection, blood clots, dislocation, leg length difference and loosening of the implant over many years are all possible, and Mr Chauhan will discuss how likely each is in your particular case before you consent. Contact the team promptly if you develop a fever, increasing pain, or a hot swollen calf. The full list is set out on the total hip replacement page.
Fees, insurance and where you will be seen
Self-paying patients are given a clear written quotation before anything is booked, covering the consultation, imaging, the procedure itself and follow-up appointments. Full details are on the payment information page.
Insured patients: Mr Chauhan is recognised by the major UK insurers including BUPA, AXA PPP, Aviva and Prudential. Please bring your policy number and pre-authorisation code to your first appointment.
Consultations and treatment take place at private hospitals in Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, Chelmsford and London, with easy access from across Essex and east London. See clinic locations and directions.
Speak to us about your hip
Whether you are early in the process or already certain you need surgery, a consultation will tell you where you stand and what the realistic options are. Book an appointment or call Mr Chauhan’s PA on 0333 006 2635. Mr Chauhan also prepares independent orthopaedic medical reports for solicitors and case managers.