When considering a total hip replacement, one of the most important decisions you'll make is the surgical approach. This decision can significantly affect your recovery time and overall experience.
In traditional hip replacement surgery, the surgeon makes an incision either on the back (posterior approach) or side (lateral approach) of your hip. These approaches involve detaching muscles and tendons from your hip to replace the damaged joint and surgically reattaching them afterward.
As a result, you might experience an extended recovery period and pain as your body recuperates. There's also a risk of your muscles not healing correctly, leading to additional complications.
At his private practice in Houston, Texas, board-certified orthopaedic surgeon Kevin Park, MD, prefers to offer patients anterior hip replacements using minimally invasive surgical techniques when possible.
With an anterior hip replacement, Dr. Park makes a 3-4 inch incision on the front of the hip. Instead of detaching the muscles and tendons, he simply moves them aside. This method reduces trauma to these critical tissues, helping you enjoy a smoother recovery process.
If you’re considering a hip replacement procedure, it's always best to consult with a skilled provider like Dr. Park, who's experienced with this intricate procedure and can help you understand your options.
In the meantime, here’s a look at four main advantages of choosing an anterior hip replacement.
Because the anterior approach separates and shifts muscles without detaching or reattaching them, the trauma to these tissues is minimized. This results in enhanced joint stability post-operation and a significant reduction in recovery pain.
A smaller incision means a smaller scar. With the anterior approach, the incision is significantly smaller than the 10-12 inch cuts required in traditional methods. This means you'll have a less noticeable scar.
Patients who have an anterior hip replacement often experience a quicker discharge from the hospital or surgery center. Given that the procedure is less invasive, most people are able to leave the same day, making it a convenient choice with a faster return to the comfort of your own home.
The muscle-sparing technique combined with the reduced incision size speeds up the healing process. As a result, you can expect to return to your routine activities much sooner after an anterior hip replacement compared to a traditional hip replacement.
Additionally, the risk of dislocation of the treatment joint is much lower, since the muscles and tendons aren’t detached. And unlike some traditional methods, there aren’t strict movement restrictions after an anterior hip replacement.
In the end, the best type of hip replacement for you is the one tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. Dr. Park and our team are dedicated to making sure you receive the best care possible, walking with you every step of the way.
If you're wondering if an anterior hip replacement is the right choice for your surgery, don't hesitate to schedule a consultation online or over the phone with Dr. Park in Houston, Texas.
