Direct Anterior Approach Hip Replacement
This article was published on: 02/18/19 5:15 AM
Hip replacement surgeries have become more common in younger, more active people;however, it was once reserved primarily for older patients. Osteoarthritis is considered to be the most common reason for a hip replacement. There are various other conditions or injuries that cause degeneration of the hip joint that makes an individual a candidate, including hip dyspepsia, rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic hip injuries, and bone tumors.
Traditional hip replacement surgery is often performed through a large incision through the side or back of the hip. The surgery involves cutting through or detaching muscles and tissues around the joint and surgically reattaching it. The surgery uses a smaller incision on the front of the hip, and rather than cutting and reattaching muscles and tendons. Direct anterior approach hip replacement is the least invasive form of hip replacement surgery. Its goal is to cause the least amount of trauma possible to the muscles and tissues surrounding the joint.
Patients of anterior hip replacement surgery believe it offers several advantages, including:
- Minimalist damage to major muscles: The anterior approach avoids cutting major muscles. There are fewer muscles at the front of the hip, and the surgeon works between them, rather than cutting through muscle fibers or detaching muscles from bones which leads to a faster recovery.
- Reduction in operative pain.Since, the surgery does not require cutting major muscles, patients typically experience less pain after surgery.
- Faster recovery.After surgery, a patient can bend at the hip and bear weight as soon as it is comfortable. Most anterior hip replacement patients can use crutches or a walker sooner than patients who have had a traditional surgery. Patients may also walk on their own sooner.
- Decreased risk of hip dislocation.A major post-surgical worry for most hip replacement patients is that the new hip’s ball and socket will dislocate. However, the surgery does not disturb the muscles and soft tissue structures which naturally prevent the hip from dislocating, which makes the anterior surgical patients less likely to suffer a hip dislocation.
- Better range of movement:Patients may bend over or sit with their legs crossed without risking hip dislocations as compared to the traditional surgeries which requires more than 6-8 weeks to heal.Also, because the surgery is less invasive than other hip replacement techniques, patients don’t need to stay in the hospital for long after surgery.
