WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR ANTERIOR HIP REPLACEMENT?
Many people suffering with arthritis, hip pain,
stiffness and limited hip movement can now choose minimally invasive
surgery when hip replacement is the chosen treatment of the patient and
their doctor.
One of the least invasive surgical options is Anterior
Hip Replacement. The Anterior Approach is a proven technique that
minimizes the pain and the time from surgery to recovery.
WHAT IS ANTERIOR HIP REPLACEMENT?
The Anterior Approach to hip replacement surgery allows
the surgeon to reach the hip joint from the front of the hip as opposed
to the lateral (side) or the posterior (back) approach. This way, the
hip can be replaced without detachment of muscle from the pelvis or
femur during surgery. The surgeon can simply work through the natural
interval between the muscles. The most important muscles for hip
function, the gluteal muscles that attach to the pelvis and femur, are
left undisturbed and, therefore, do not require a healing process to
recover from surgical trauma.
The Anterior Approach to hip replacement was first
performed in Europe in 1947. Since that time, the technique has been
continually refined with advancing medical technology. Today, literally
thousands of hip replacement patients have benefited from this minimally
invasive approach in Europe and America.
In 1996, Joel M. Matta, M.D., the John C. Wilson, Jr.,
Chair of Orthopedic Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles
brought Anterior Hip Replacement to the United States. Dr. Matta has
advanced the technique even further by co-designing a special,
state-of-the-art surgical table with OSI and improving many surgical
protocols for the hip replacement procedure. Having performed over 600
Anterior Hip Replacements himself since 1996, Dr. Matta has also been
instrumental in the training of many orthopedic surgeons in this
important minimally invasive approach. Dr. Matta's views on this
technique can be found at:
www.hipandpelvis.com.
HOW DOES ANTERIOR HIP REPLACEMENT IMPROVE PATIENT
RECOVERY?
Conventional Hip Replacement
Conventional lateral or posterior surgery typically requires strict
precautions for the patient. Most patients must limit hip motion for 6
to 8 weeks after surgery. They must limit flexing of the hip to no more
than 60 to 90 degrees which complicates normal activities like sitting
in a chair, on a toilet seat, putting on shoes or getting into a car.
Simply climbing stairs may also be more difficult during recovery.
Anterior Hip Replacement
Anterior Hip Replacement allows patients to immediately bend their hip
freely and bear full weight when comfortable, resulting in a more rapid
return to normal function. After surgery, patients are instructed to use
their hip normally without cumbersome restrictions. In supervised
therapy, patients go up and down stairs before their hospital release.
