Traditional
and Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally Invasive
Hip Replacement
Traditional
hip
replacement
surgery
is
done
through
an
incision
that
is
usually
about
5 to 8
inches
in
length.
Beneath
the
incision,
the
muscle
is
separated,
and
the
hip
joint
is
exposed.
The
surgeon
then
removes
the
arthritic
hip
joint,
and
replaces
this
with a
metal
and
plastic
implant.
The
surgeon
performs
this
surgery
by
looking
directly
at the
arthritic
hip
joint,
and
setting
the
artificial
hip
implant
into
place.
After
surgery,
patients
commonly
stay
in the
hospital
4 to 6
days,
and
often
require
months
of
rehabilitation.
Latest
Developments
New
techniques
have
been
developed
that
allow
the
surgeon
to
perform
the
same
surgery
(hip
replacement)
through
two
small
incisions
and
with
minimal
muscle
dissection.
The
surgeon
does
not
look
directly
at the
arthritic
hip,
rather,
he or
she
uses
x-ray
guidance
in the
operating
room
to
position
the
artificial
hip.
The
hope
is
that
patients
who
undergo
this
minimally
invasive
hip
replacement
will
have
shorter
hospital
stays,
quicker
rehabilitation,
and
better
results.
However,
being
a new
surgery,
there
are
questions
as to
whether
or not
this
is
actually
a
"better"
procedure.
Background
Hip
replacement
surgery
is
among
the
most
successful
(in
terms
of
satisfied
patients)
procedures
available
today.
However,
surgeons
are
constantly
trying
to
improve
hip
replacement.
The
goal
of the
two-incision
hip
replacement
is to
provide
a
procedure
that
has
less
surgical
morbidity
(meaning
less
pain,
less
blood
loss,
less
rehabilitation),
but as
good,
or
better,
overall
results.
So
far,
some
surgeons
have
been
able
to
show
results
that
this
procedure
may
indeed
have
less
pain
and
less
blood
loss,
but
there
is
great
debate
as to
whether
or not
the
overall
results
are
better,
or
even
as
good,
as
traditional
hip
replacement
surgery.
Understanding Hip
Replacement Surgery
Total
hip
replacement
surgery
is
one
of
the
most
common
orthopedic
procedures.
Hip
replacement
surgery
is
performed
about
300,000
times
in
the
United
States
every
year.
Because
of
the
long
history
of
hip
replacement
surgery,
this
procedure
has
become
a
safer
and
more
reliable
method
to
treat
severe
hip
arthritis
pain.
What
are
common
symptoms
of
hip
arthritis?
Patients
who
have
severe
hip
arthritis
typically
have
some
or
all
of
the
following
symptoms:
- Difficulty walking
- Stiffness of the hip joint
- Pain in the groin and thigh
The
most
common
location
to
experience
pain
from
hip
arthritis
is
the
groin
area.
Patients
may
also
complain
of
thigh,
back
and
knee
pain.
If
pain
is
experienced
in
the
low
back,
buttock,
or
outside
of
the
thigh,
a
careful
examination
must
be
performed
to
determine
the
source
of
the
problem.
Over
time,
patients
who
have
hip
arthritis
often
develop
a
limp--the
body's
attempt
to
minimize
the
forces
acting
on
the
joint.
This
may
require
the
patient
to
limit
their
walking
or
use
a
cane
or
walker
to
help
relieve
the
pain
from
the
hip
joint.
What causes
severe degeneration
of the hip joint?
The most common cause
of hip arthritis is
known as
osteoarthritis, or
degenerative joint
disease. A narrow hip
joint without
cartilage and bone
spurs are common
findings on an x-ray.
Other possible causes
of joint problems
include rheumatoid
arthritis, and
osteonecrosis (also
called avascular
necrosis). However,
the most common
reason for needing
total hip replacement
surgery is
osteoarthritis.
When is a total
hip replacement
necessary?
The first step in
treating hip
arthritis is
conservative
treatments. Options
include:
- Anti-Inflammatory Medication
The medications are effective at treating the inflammation of hip arthritis and also help with pain relief. There are many medications available, and some may be better for you than others. Knowing which one is best is difficult to determine, and is often best discovered by trying different medications.
- Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help maintain motion and strength of the soft-tissues and muscles around the joint. Even if total hip replacement surgery is definitely necessary, physical therapy can help keep your joint in the best shape possible prior to total hip replacement surgery.
- Cane or Walker
Use of a cane or walker is helpful at taking some of the burden off your joint. These devices often help you walk more comfortably and without a limp.
If these
treatments are not
adequate in treating
your symptoms, then
total hip replacement
surgery may be
recommended. Before
surgery is
considered, a
thorough medical
evaluation should be
completed to ensure
you are in good
health and your body
is prepared as best
possible for the
procedure.
Signs You're
Ready For Hip
Replacement
-
You
have
hip/groin
pain
that
keeps
you
awake,
or
awakens
you,
at
night.
-
You
have
hip
pain
that
limits
activities
necessary
to go
about
your
daily
activities
(getting
up
from a
chair,
climbing
stairs,
etc.).
-
You
have
hip
pain
that
limits
activities
that
give
you
pleasure
(walking
for
exercise,
traveling,
shopping,
etc.).
-
You
have
tried
other
treatments
for a
reasonable
period
of
time,
and
you
still
have
persistent
hip
pain.
There are many
other factors
you and your
doctor must
consider prior
to surgery,
including age,
overall health,
and bone
density, but the
list above will
give you an idea
when you should
begin to
consider hip
replacement
surgery.
Signs You Are
Not Ready For
Hip Replacement
-
Your hip
pain does
not limit
normal
activities.
-
Your
symptoms
are
improving
with more
conservative
treatments
(medications,
activity
modification,
etc...).
-
You have
not tried
more
conservative
treatments.
-
You are
only
limited
from
performing
activities
such as
running or
skiing.
Patients who fit
these criteria
usually need
more effort at
treating their
hip pain with
more
conservative
measures.
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