| If you're considering hip surgery, you can reduce | | | | approach)eliminates restrictions because muscles and |
| recoverytime and pain with minimally invasive hip | | | | tissueare left intact in the lateral and posterior areas. |
| replacement surgery. | | | | Thisprovides stability for the hip and greatly reduces |
| The surgery involves an anterior approach to the hip. | | | | thechance of dislocation. |
| Traditional hip replacements performed in the U.S. use | | | | Minimally invasive hip replacement doesn't necessarily |
| theposterior or lateral/posterior approach. Over the | | | | referto the size of the incision. It has more to do |
| years, asmaller incision with the traditional approach | | | | with theminimal amount of tissue damage during |
| has beenused and is less invasive, but it still requires | | | | surgery. The incisioncan't be made too small or else |
| followingstrict hip restrictions. | | | | the incision area becomestoo stretched in an attempt |
| The Minimally Invasive Anterior Approach | | | | to reach the hip joint. |
| The anterior approach to hip replacement hasbeen | | | | ProFX Operating Table |
| quite successful with the vast majority of totalhip | | | | The ProFX is a special operating table that positions |
| replacement patients, including hip fractures. After | | | | thepatient's leg for the anterior approach. Not all |
| thesurgery, the patient is free to move his hip | | | | hospitalshave this table. Without it, the anterior |
| without restrictions,and, in most cases, is up and | | | | approach isn'tperformed. For instance, in California |
| walking later that same day. Apatient's hospital stay | | | | there are less than |
| is also shortened to 2-5 days. | | | | 10 hospitals that perform this minimally invasive hip |
| After traditional hip replacement, patients must | | | | replacement. Another reason for the scarcity of this |
| strictlyfollow their hip precautions. | | | | approach lies with surgeons. Most orthopedic |
| Minimally invasive hip replacement is performed while | | | | surgeons have been trained in the lateral and/or |
| the patient is lying flat on his back. A small incision | | | | posterior methods only. |
| (about 4 inches)is made at the front of the hip joint, | | | | Advantages of Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement |
| as opposed to the traditionallateral or posterior | | | | (anterior approach) |
| incision. During the anterior approach, the hipis | | | | - No limitations on hip motion |
| replaced without detachment of muscle from the | | | | - No weight bearing restrictions |
| femur orpelvis. The hip is reached through a natural | | | | - Decreased chance of hip dislocation |
| opening between themuscles. This results in a quicker | | | | - Reduced hospital stay |
| rehab and a shortened hospitalstay. | | | | - Shorter rehab time |
| Traditional hip replacement requires a large incision | | | | - Quicker return to functional mobility |
| throughthe gluteal muscles, which are the most | | | | - Quicker return to driving your vehicle |
| important muscles forhip function. This places | | | | - Much less pain from surgery |
| restrictions on hip movement for aperiod of time | | | | - Reduces chance of leg length discrepancy |
| after surgery. Restrictions (referred to as | | | | Disadvantages/Complications |
| hipprecautions) include no internal rotation, no leg | | | | Complications are rare but are similar tocomplications |
| crossing, andno bending of the hip beyond 90 | | | | from traditional lateral and posteriorapproaches. |
| degrees. Often times there arealso limitations on the | | | | These include infection, DVT (deep vein |
| amount of weight a patient is allowedto place on his | | | | thrombosis),nerve damage, femur fracture, and |
| leg while walking. These restrictions are inplace to | | | | revision surgery. |
| prevent dislocation of the new hip. | | | | Dislocation is a complication, but is much less likely to |
| Minimally invasive hip replacement (anterior | | | | occur. |