Hip joints, because of the constant wear and tear, are always susceptible to damage. Years ago anyone so affected had to endure years of pain as very little could be done to alleviate the problem. Thankfully as medical science progresses so have techniques to deal with various joint issues.
The most common form of relief for damaged hips is to replace the affected joint or joints with synthetic material. Just the thought of surgery can be scary, but for most persons it was better than the agony they faced. The major drawback to such procedures was the long time it took to fully recover.
While there are many ways to do hip replacement one approach is now quite popular. This is known as anterior hip replacement, anterior approach or anterior procedure. One of the main reasons for the popularity of this procedure is that it is minimally invasive. In addition to this procedure, other methods include the posterior approach and the lateral approach. The name given to joint replacement surgery of the hip is based on the position from which the incision is made.
Benefits of Anterior Hip Replacement
There are many excellent reasons why both patients and doctors gravitate towards this procedure. Some of the most commonly cited are:
* Most patients can actually begin using their hips with minimal restrictions shortly after surgery.
* Hospital stay is much shorter than with other hip replacement procedures.
* Recovery time is much less. With the anterior approach, most patients are well on their way to recovery within two months. With traditional surgery it takes up to eight months before recovery is complete.
* Less invasive as very little if any muscle is lost during the surgical procedure unlike more traditional hip surgery
where extensive muscle removal and reattachment is required.
* The scar resulting from the surgery is much smaller and less visible making it a preferred method for women especially. The length of the incision is less than the regular six to ten inches for other approaches to hip replacement.
* The risk of dislocation of the replaced joint is far reduced.
The anterior hip replacement surgical procedure requires special conditions and equipment not used for other types of hip surgery. These include a specially designed table and the use of x-ray to ensure that the joint is lined up correctly. While sometimes hip replacement surgery results in one leg being shorter than the other, this approach minimizes the risk.
History of the Procedure
The procedure was reportedly developed in France, with the first operation performed in 1947 in Germany. Over the years the procedure has been exported to other countries such as the USA. A number of notable orthopaedic surgeons have become associated with refining the technique.
One person frequently mentioned in relation to the procedure is Dr. Joel Matta. He is credited as being part of the team involved in refining the anterior approach to hip replacement. Dr. Matta, who actually brought the procedure to the USA, first saw it being performed by Dr. Emile Letournel in France in 1981.
Risks
Like any surgical procedure, the anterior method is not without risks. In fact, in some quarters it is believed that the risk can be greater than other types of hip surgery because of the skills needed. This is based on the importance of ensuring that the joints are lined up properly. It has however been established that the benefits far outweigh the risks associated with the anterior approach.
Author Resource:-
Dr. Joel Matta is an orthopedic surgeon and the founder and director of the Hip and Pelvis Institute at St John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. He is accredited with the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Dr. Matta has performed over 600 total hip replacement surgeries using the anterior approach. More information about the anterior approach can be found at http://www.hipandpelvis.com
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