Not Your Grandparents" Hip Surgery
Total hip replacement is becoming more common in people that are active and otherwise healthy these days. The thought of a painful surgery and months of recovery deter many people from getting the necessary treatment. These people end up unintentionally doing more harm to their joints in the long run.
The anterior approach to hip replacement surgery cuts down the recovery time. It also has a better percentage of success and leaves a much smaller scar. Dislocations and other complications are reduced as well as the amount of time it takes to get back to your favorite activities. Other than these much desired outcomes, there are other reasons to consider an anterior hip replacement surgery.
* The incision is up to five inches smaller.
* The muscles do not have to be cut from your tendons.
* The possibility of blood loss and the need for a transfusion is drastically reduced.
* The surgery is performed on a table that is different than a regular surgical table. This enables your surgeon to replace the hip from the front with the joint positioned in a way that is easier to reach and replace.
* Anterior hip surgery is less invasive than the traditional approach.
The anterior approach requires no muscle-related post-operative precautions. The muscles are not cut during the surgery and the hip can bend with no restrictions.
After the surgery, you will not need embarrassing equipment (like an elevated toilet seat) as you would with the traditional approach. Many people can resume driving within a week after the anterior approach to hip replacement. This was unheard of with the traditional approach. You will also be able to bear full weight within days, as opposed to weeks.
The hospital stay is usually reduced to two to three days, which makes a huge difference. There is no place like home! The total recovery time for anterior hip replacement surgery is two to eight weeks. The total recovery time for a traditional hip replacement surgery is two to six months.
As you can see, the advantages are great! There are many reasons to find a doctor that will perform anterior hip replacement surgery. People requiring hip surgery often report many other benefits of the anterior approach to hip surgery in addition to those we mention here. In today's competitive world, the ability to get back to your active life and career quickly is paramount. The anterior approach is not your grandparents' hip surgery!
The Restrictions of Traditional Hip Surgery
Traditional hip surgery requires hip protection precautions for the first few weeks of recovery. This means that you have to be continually aware of the position your hips are in. You must take care in the way you sit, bend, lie, bend, move, and sleep. Certain positions may cause dislocation or strain to the new hip joint.
Precautions are also required because the muscles need to properly adhere to the new hip. Physical therapy is required to relearn how to use your hip muscles after they have been severed from the bone and reattached to the new hip. Traditional hip replacement surgery may require up to 6 months to recover fully.
Who Would Benefit From Anterior Hip Replacement?
Lean, active people are the best candidates for the anterior approach (all approaches actually). Overweight people and those with brittle bones are more problematic. The procedure is not appropriate for deformed hips or when repairing an existing replacement.
People who have poor bone quality overall, a wide femoral bone canal, or a low hip angle are also ineligible for anterior hip replacement surgery. However, your surgeon is the only person that can make the decision as to whether or not you are a good candidate for this less invasive approach to total hip replacement surgery. If you have been told that you need a new hip, call your surgeon today and ask about the anterior approach to total hip replacement before you go any further! Your hip will thank you!
The anterior approach to hip replacement surgery cuts down the recovery time. It also has a better percentage of success and leaves a much smaller scar. Dislocations and other complications are reduced as well as the amount of time it takes to get back to your favorite activities. Other than these much desired outcomes, there are other reasons to consider an anterior hip replacement surgery.
* The incision is up to five inches smaller.
* The muscles do not have to be cut from your tendons.
* The possibility of blood loss and the need for a transfusion is drastically reduced.
* The surgery is performed on a table that is different than a regular surgical table. This enables your surgeon to replace the hip from the front with the joint positioned in a way that is easier to reach and replace.
* Anterior hip surgery is less invasive than the traditional approach.
The anterior approach requires no muscle-related post-operative precautions. The muscles are not cut during the surgery and the hip can bend with no restrictions.
After the surgery, you will not need embarrassing equipment (like an elevated toilet seat) as you would with the traditional approach. Many people can resume driving within a week after the anterior approach to hip replacement. This was unheard of with the traditional approach. You will also be able to bear full weight within days, as opposed to weeks.
The hospital stay is usually reduced to two to three days, which makes a huge difference. There is no place like home! The total recovery time for anterior hip replacement surgery is two to eight weeks. The total recovery time for a traditional hip replacement surgery is two to six months.
As you can see, the advantages are great! There are many reasons to find a doctor that will perform anterior hip replacement surgery. People requiring hip surgery often report many other benefits of the anterior approach to hip surgery in addition to those we mention here. In today's competitive world, the ability to get back to your active life and career quickly is paramount. The anterior approach is not your grandparents' hip surgery!
The Restrictions of Traditional Hip Surgery
Traditional hip surgery requires hip protection precautions for the first few weeks of recovery. This means that you have to be continually aware of the position your hips are in. You must take care in the way you sit, bend, lie, bend, move, and sleep. Certain positions may cause dislocation or strain to the new hip joint.
Precautions are also required because the muscles need to properly adhere to the new hip. Physical therapy is required to relearn how to use your hip muscles after they have been severed from the bone and reattached to the new hip. Traditional hip replacement surgery may require up to 6 months to recover fully.
Who Would Benefit From Anterior Hip Replacement?
Lean, active people are the best candidates for the anterior approach (all approaches actually). Overweight people and those with brittle bones are more problematic. The procedure is not appropriate for deformed hips or when repairing an existing replacement.
People who have poor bone quality overall, a wide femoral bone canal, or a low hip angle are also ineligible for anterior hip replacement surgery. However, your surgeon is the only person that can make the decision as to whether or not you are a good candidate for this less invasive approach to total hip replacement surgery. If you have been told that you need a new hip, call your surgeon today and ask about the anterior approach to total hip replacement before you go any further! Your hip will thank you!
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