Osteoarthritis of the hip affects millions of Americans every year, and often requires surgery to restore functioning and alleviate pain. Hip replacement surgery has been performed in the United States for over 40 years, and since its introduction, has become one of the most commonly performed and safest surgical procedures.
Total hip replacement has seen advancements in recent years that have improved the surgical process to potentially provide better postoperative results. Minimally invasive surgical procedures like anterior hip replacement use smaller incisions to avoid muscle and tendon damage, which may help patients avoid restrictions associated with traditional hip replacement surgery.
Anatomy of the Hip
The hip is a weight-bearing joint, responsible for supporting the body’s load when standing and during movement. The main hip joint is comprised of the end of the femur, or thighbone, and a cavity located on the pelvis known as the acetabulum. The femoral head rests within the acetabulum, forming a ball-and-socket joint with a wide range of motion. The bones’ surfaces are covered with cartilage that allows the hip to move freely without incurring damage due to friction.
Hip Arthritis Symptoms and Candidates for Hip Replacement
Hip damage can result from natural degeneration or through trauma to the bones; however, osteoarthritis is the most prevalent cause of chronic hip pain and disability. While traumatic damage can impact anyone, the risks for osteoarthritis are often associated with aging and activity-related wear-and-tear. Likewise, many cases of hip damage are progressive in nature, growing increasingly more severe over the course of time.
As everyday wear-and-tear takes a toll on the hip, the bones become damaged. Cartilage becomes ineffective at protecting the bones of the hip from friction, leading to hip pain, discomfort, and joint stiffness.
Frequently reported symptoms of arthritis include, but are not limited to:
- Difficulty walking, standing, and climbing stairs
- Discomfort while resting (either seated or lying down)
- Joint stiffness or swelling
- Needing a cane or other mobility support to get around
If the above symptoms are not responsive to non-invasive methods, such as anti-inflammatory medications or physical therapy, hip replacement may be the best option for eliminating discomfort and restoring function.
To determine whether a patient is a candidate for hip replacement, Dr. Greene must determine the full extent of hip damage and get an in-depth medical history, including both general health and specific injury symptoms. The degree to which hip disability inhibits the completion of daily activities will be a significant consideration in determining a treatment approach.
In addition to a battery of physical tests (alignment, mobility, and strength), an x-ray, MRI, and/or blood tests will be performed to identify any extraneous damage factors and overarching bone condition. These factors will influence the surgery type recommended, as well as the post-op rehabilitation measures prescribed.
Benefits of Anterior Hip Replacement
While traditional hip replacement has been a successful solution to hip arthritis, anterior approach hip replacement provides the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, including quicker post-operative recovery. Additionally, patients who have had an anterior hip replacement may be able to move their hips immediately after surgery.
Anterior hip replacements provide a number of potential benefits beyond traditional hip replacement surgery, including:
- Shorter post-operative rehabilitation period
- Less noticeable scarring
- Less blood loss and less post-operative pain
- Reduced risk of dislocation
- More natural feel
Anterior Hip Replacement Procedure
Hip replacement aims to alleviate a patient’s joint pain by removing the damaged bone and cartilage and replacing it with a prosthetic implant, designed to fit and feel like a natural hip joint. These implants aim to restore joint function and return patients to the activities they enjoy.
Due to procedural complexity, hip replacement operations are typically performed under general anesthesia and on an inpatient basis. During the surgery, which will likely last 2-4 hours, Dr. Greene will remove the damaged cartilage and bone, applying prosthetic elements to restore natural alignment and function. Whether bone cement is used to secure the prosthesis will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Anterior approach hip replacement utilizes smaller incisions — approximately 3–4 inches, as opposed to traditional hip replacement’s incision sizes of 8–12 inches — leaving patients with significantly less scarring. Incisions are made on the front of the hip, allowing the hip surgeon to perform the procedure without detaching the muscles or tendons. These small incisions contribute to less blood loss during the surgery, giving patients less postoperative pain.
Recovery and Long-Term Hip Health
For any hip replacement, special precautions and recovery efforts will be required for successful post-op rehabilitation. Immediately following surgery, rest and avoidance of hip strain will be emphasized. In most cases, basic activities will not be resumed until 3-6 weeks after surgery, and will be undertaken on a gradual basis.
In order to rebuild mobility and strength, a walking program will be prescribed in conjunction with more formal physical therapy efforts. Special supports will be used to assist with walking, as well as for standing from a seated position or using stairs. Other efforts will include the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications, as well as nutrition management.
Hip replacement surgery has a low complication rate; however, serious issues can occur. Any unusual pain, skin discoloration, or other symptoms for concern should be reported to the surgical team immediately.
Baton Rouge, LA Hip Surgeon: Anterior Hip Replacement
Dr. Craig C. Greene is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement and anterior hip replacement. Through his practice in Baton Rouge, LA, Dr. Greene provides his patients with safe and effective treatment methods that work to alleviate joint pain and return patients to previous levels of activity. For more information about anterior hip replacement, please call (225) 800-4640 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Greene at his offices, conveniently located on Bluebonnet Boulevard.
Specialties
- Anterior Hip Replacement
- Knee Replacement
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopaedic Surgery FAQ
- Arthritis
Frequently Asked Questions: Anterior Hip Replacement
What is anterior hip replacement?
Anterior hip replacement is a minimally invasive approach to total hip replacement that uses smaller incisions to avoid muscle and tendon damage. Unlike traditional hip replacement, the surgeon accesses the joint from the front of the hip, which allows the procedure to be performed without detaching muscles or tendons. This approach offers benefits such as quicker post-operative recovery and may help patients avoid some of the restrictions associated with traditional surgery.
What causes hip damage that may lead to a replacement?
Hip damage can result from natural degeneration or from trauma to the bones. Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent cause of chronic hip pain and disability, and its risks are often associated with aging and activity-related wear and tear. Many cases are progressive, meaning they grow increasingly more severe over time as cartilage becomes less effective at protecting the bones from friction.
What are the symptoms of hip arthritis?
Frequently reported symptoms include difficulty walking, standing, and climbing stairs, along with discomfort while resting either seated or lying down. Patients may also experience joint stiffness or swelling, and some need a cane or other mobility support to get around. When these symptoms do not respond to non-invasive methods like anti-inflammatory medications or physical therapy, hip replacement may become the best option.
Who is a candidate for hip replacement?
To determine candidacy, Dr. Greene evaluates the full extent of hip damage and reviews an in-depth medical history covering both general health and specific injury symptoms. A key consideration is the degree to which hip disability inhibits the completion of daily activities. Patients whose symptoms have not improved with non-invasive treatments are often the best candidates.
What tests are involved in evaluating a patient for hip replacement?
Evaluation includes a battery of physical tests assessing alignment, mobility, and strength. Dr. Greene may also order an x-ray, MRI, and/or blood tests to identify any extraneous damage factors and assess the overall bone condition. These results influence both the type of surgery recommended and the post-operative rehabilitation measures prescribed.
What are the benefits of the anterior approach compared to traditional hip replacement?
The anterior approach provides the advantages of minimally invasive surgery, and patients may be able to move their hips immediately after surgery. Specific potential benefits include a shorter post-operative rehabilitation period, less noticeable scarring, less blood loss, and less post-operative pain. Patients may also experience a reduced risk of dislocation and a more natural feel.
What happens during the anterior hip replacement procedure?
The goal of the procedure is to relieve joint pain by removing damaged bone and cartilage and replacing it with a prosthetic implant designed to fit and feel like a natural hip joint. Dr. Greene removes the damaged cartilage and bone, then applies prosthetic elements to restore natural alignment and function. Whether bone cement is used to secure the prosthesis is determined on a case-by-case basis.
How long does hip replacement surgery take, and what kind of anesthesia is used?
Because of its procedural complexity, hip replacement is typically performed under general anesthesia and on an inpatient basis. The surgery will likely last between two and four hours.
How large is the incision for anterior hip replacement?
The anterior approach uses smaller incisions of approximately three to four inches, compared to the eight to twelve inch incisions used in traditional hip replacement. The incisions are made on the front of the hip, which allows the surgeon to work without detaching muscles or tendons and leaves patients with significantly less scarring.
What does recovery look like after anterior hip replacement?
Immediately following surgery, rest and avoidance of hip strain are emphasized. In most cases, basic activities are not resumed until three to six weeks after surgery and are undertaken gradually. A walking program is prescribed alongside more formal physical therapy, and special supports help with walking, standing from a seated position, and using stairs. Recovery may also involve analgesics, anti-inflammatory medications, and nutrition management.
Is hip replacement surgery safe?
Hip replacement has been performed in the United States for over 40 years and is one of the most commonly performed and safest surgical procedures. It has a low complication rate, though serious issues can still occur. Any unusual pain, skin discoloration, or other concerning symptoms should be reported to the surgical team immediately.
Who performs anterior hip replacement at this practice?
Dr. Craig C. Greene is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement and anterior hip replacement. Through his practice in Baton Rouge, LA, he provides safe and effective treatment methods aimed at alleviating joint pain and returning patients to their previous levels of activity. His offices are conveniently located on Bluebonnet Boulevard.
How do I schedule a consultation for anterior hip replacement?
For more information about anterior hip replacement, please call (225) 800-4640 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Greene