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New Approach to Hip Replacement
New Approach to Hip Replacement
Keeps Muscle Intact
Hip replacement surgery has been done for about the last 50 years and over the years, there have been many improvements in techniques and technology. One of the latest improvements now being done at St. Mary’s Medical Center by David Paul, DO, orthopedic surgeon, is anterior supine intramuscular hip replacement. The technique means less pain and a faster recovery for patients.
In traditional surgery, patients lie on their sides and the surgeon must cut the gluteal muscles from the bone to reach the joint, and then reattach the muscles after the artificial hip is in place.
During anterior hip replacement, patients lie on their backs and the surgeon reaches the joint from the front—gaining access through the muscles while leaving them undisturbed.
“It’s a major improvement,” says Dr. Paul. “Leaving the muscles intact allows patients to heal much faster.”
Lynne Smith had a hip replacement with this approach on October 21. She had severe arthritis in her hip and was unable to do activities she loved. “I couldn’t swim, play golf—I couldn’t even put my shoes and socks on,” says Smith. But two weeks after her surgery, she was walking without a cane. She’ll return to work after being out just three and a half weeks.
“In the hospital after surgery, I had a pump available for pain medication,” says Smith. “But I never used it. I was asked to rate my pain on a scale of one to 10—and I’d say it was about a two.”
Patients having an anterior-method replacement have fewer post-operative restrictions and return to normal function more quickly, according to Dr. Paul. “And, because patients are lying on their backs, we can get better results with leg-length equality.”
Dr. Paul says not every patient is a candidate for an anterior replacement. Those who are morbidly obese or have severe damage and limitations on range of motion usually cannot have a replacement using this approach. Still, for many needing hip replacement, the anterior technique can get them back to daily activities more quickly.
“I’m glad I had this done while I was still in shape to return to exercise,” says Smith. “You know baby boomers are not going to put up with limping around and having my replacement was truly no big deal.”
St. Mary’s Medical Center is an acute care facility of Carondelet Health (CarondeletHealth.org) which also includes St. Joseph Medical Center, three long-term care facilities and home care services. Carondelet Health is dedicated to the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Our commitment to human dignity compels us to provide compassionate, quality healthcare for body, mind and spirit, with a special concern for the poor. We are responsible stewards serving the needs of all people from conception to death. Carondelet Health is a member of Ascension Health, the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit health system.
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