Finding out that you need surgery is scary. It’s even more overwhelming when the body part that needs surgical intervention is a large joint, such as your hips.
However, when hip pain prevents you from doing basic things, such as walking, sitting, and going up and downstairs, continuing to put off surgery may not be a viable option.
At The Orthopedic Clinic, we want you to live your life in full motion. We also want you to have peace of mind about the procedures we provide so that you can make an informed decision confidently. This is why we’d like you to take a moment to read about the minimally invasive anterior hip replacement.
Basic Hip Anatomy and Traditional Hip Replacement Surgery
Our femurs (thigh bones) are connected to the pelvis (hip bones) by two ball-and-socket joints, with the “ball” being the top portion of the femur (also called the femoral head). On healthy hips, the femoral heads fit perfectly into the “sockets” (also called the acetabulum) on the pelvis.
Both the ball and the socket are covered in cartilage, which prevents friction between the bones when a person moves their legs.
When a person undergoes a traditional hip replacement surgery, the entire hip joint is removed and replaced with either metal or durable plastic components. Anterior hip replacement surgery is significantly less invasive.
Anterior Hip Replacement
When a patient undergoes a traditional hip replacement, the surgeon makes a long incision on the back of the hip and cuts and detaches soft tissue (muscles, ligaments, and tendons) to access the hip joints. The surgeon then replaces either the entire ball-and-socket with prosthetics or only replaces a portion of the damaged bone and cartilage.
An anterior hip replacement does the same as a traditional hip replacement surgery. However, the incisions are much smaller and are done from the front of the hip. This allows the doctor to avoid cutting into muscle to reach the joints.
While the end result is the same, this minimally invasive procedure causes less pain post-surgery. It also allows patients to recover more quickly.
At The Orthopedic Clinic, we perform this revolutionary procedure.
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Why an Anterior Hip Replacement?
At The Orthopedic Clinic, we believe that surgery can be an effective option, but needs to be agreed upon by the physician and patient after other treatments haven’t helped.
If the physician and patient agree on surgery, we provide innovative hip treatments like anterior hip replacement. The advantages of our approach to anterior hip replacement include the following:
- Smaller incisions
- Avoids cutting muscles
- Prevents dislocation of the joints
- Reduced pain after surgery
- Faster recovery
- Fewer precautions to take after surgery
- Better joint mobility
While there are many benefits to having an anterior hip replacement surgery, not everyone is a candidate for it. Typically, the procedure is not recommended for obese patients since the additional tissue may complicate finding the hip joint through such a small incision.
While the procedure is usually recommended for patients who lead physically active lifestyles, the best way to know whether an anterior hip replacement is right for you is to consult with one of our experienced orthopedic surgeons.
How Does Anterior Hip Replacement Work?
Anterior hip replacement is one of the procedures we perform to help our patients get back to doing the things they love.
The procedure is beneficial because it is minimally invasive and rehabilitation is much faster.
If you’re considering having this procedure performed or have already decided to have it done, you may want to know how your surgeon will perform it. Here’s what you can expect:
- You will be administered anesthesia
- The surgeon makes a small incision on the front of the hip
- The surgeon will then move the patient’s muscles to the side (instead of cutting them) to access the hip joint
- The surgeon replaces the damaged portions of your hip bones and cartilage with prosthetics
- The surgeon or Physician Assistant closes up the incision
Read more about Total Joint Replacement.
Anterior Hip Replacement Recovery
Because muscles aren’t cut, patients won’t need the amount of painkillers that are usually associated with traditional posterior hip replacement surgery. Most patients are discharged soon after the surgery; and depending on the patient’s age and health history, it may even be done as an outpatient procedure.
What to Expect After Anterior Hip Replacement Surgery
Since the surgery is so minimally invasive, the patient could be out and walking without the assistance of a cane or walker within days after surgery.
The patient will also undergo physical therapy and home exercises to help them return to activities of daily living without pain.
Are You Having Trouble Walking Due to Hip Pain?
Whether your hip pain is a result of arthritis, a sports injury, or trauma, our hip specialists can help. We can assist you in determining the source of your pain to create a custom treatment plan for your needs, so you can get back to doing the things you love to do.
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