Anterior Approach Hip Replacement
If you are suffering from significant pain, inflammation and damage to your hip joint due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or injury, your doctor may recommend a hip replacement.
Total hip replacement surgery relieves pain and restores mobility to individuals whose hip joints have been damaged from arthritis and have not found relief with other conservative treatment options like medications, physical therapy or injections. There are multiple approaches to this procedure – one of which is the direct anterior approach to hip replacement, where the joint is accessed through the front of the hip.
How Does It Work?
During the minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon makes an incision on your leg, near the groin, and removes the damaged hip joint. An artificial joint, featuring a ball and socket made of metal, ceramic, and plastic, is then installed. After surgery, recovery starts right away with patients walking the day of surgery and includes several weeks of physical therapy. Most patients can resume normal light activities within three to six weeks of surgery.
The Benefits of Anterior Approach Hip Replacement
Personalized approach. The method used for total hip replacement is decided upon by you and your physician. Recipients of anterior hip replacements can be assured that this method was selected for their situation as part of a personalized treatment plan chosen with care.
Muscle sparing. Frontal entry makes it possible to reach the joint by separating the muscles, rather than splitting them. For the appropriate patient, this can minimize postoperative pain during the initial recovery period. Because less tissue is disrupted, post-operative hip precautions are often not required.
Restored mobility. Total hip replacement is an effective way to restore function and alleviate pain from damaged joints. Thanks to this procedure, and the advanced technology that makes it possible, recipients can enjoy reduced pain, improved range of motion, and better quality of life.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lawson of any of CSMO’s total joint replacement specialists, call (423) 624-2696 or click here for convenient online scheduling options.
Joshua Lawson, MD
Total Joint Replacement Surgeon
Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics
“Orthopedic surgeons are continually working to improve the success of joint replacement surgery by developing, evaluating, and refining existing and new surgical techniques. As a result, we have a range of surgical options when it comes to total hip replacement surgery. Because the anterior approach is one of many successful techniques for a hip replacement, it’s important to discuss the specific advantages and disadvantages with regards to an individual patient’s goals, anatomy, body type and medical history when formulating a surgical plan to optimize the patient’s outcome.”
