| As hip replacement surgery has become more | | | | This surgical technique is used routinely for many |
| common, it is now much easier and safer to have | | | | common hip disorders. The first sign that a person is |
| the procedure performed. Qualified surgeons are | | | | a candidate for hip replacement surgery is that he or |
| doing the surgery in less time and with much less risk | | | | she is experiencing pain and stiffness in their hip |
| to the patient. Minimally invasive hip replacement | | | | joints. The person's quality of life is greatly affected |
| surgery is the choice that many surgeons advise for | | | | because he or she is finding it very difficult to walk. |
| their patients. Briefly, they use small portals rather | | | | Often, the person has Osteoarthritis which |
| than large incisions to get to the surgery site. This | | | | deteriorates joints, bones and cartilage in the body. |
| makes it much more comfortable for the patient. | | | | He or she may also have Avascular Necrosis in which |
| The patient will have less post-surgery pain, a shorter | | | | the bone actually dies and blood flow is stopped. |
| hospital stay and a quicker recovery. Also, the entire | | | | Another common disorder that might result in hip |
| cost of the operation itself is drastically reduced. | | | | replacement is Rheumatoid Arthritis, which inflames |
| The hip implant that the surgeon uses actually grows | | | | the cartilage and surrounding tissues of the hip joint. |
| into the bone. The surgeon does minimal cutting to | | | | If a person is suffering from any kind of painful |
| the surrounding tissues and bone which eliminates | | | | disorder that limits their ability to get around, then |
| much pain for the patient. The surgeon gently inserts | | | | minimally invasive hip replacement surgery is |
| the hip implant through two small portals that are less | | | | something that might work for them. It is a better |
| than two inches long. Most people are able to go | | | | alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery |
| home within a day or two because they recover in | | | | because it requires less time to complete and less |
| half the time it takes for more invasive hip surgery | | | | time for recovery. |
| procedures. | | | | |