In a hip replacement surgery, the surgeon removes a painful hip joint afflicted with arthritis and replaces it with an artificial joint comprising of biocompatible metal and plastic.
This surgery is typically done when other alternatives have been unsuccessful in providing sufficient pain relief. The surgery aims to address a painful hip and enable easier walking and a normal lifestyle.
Board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brandon Gough provides hip and knee surgery to patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Arizona, and surrounding communities.
DIRECT SUPERIOR Hip Replacement TECHNIQUE
This approach is an adaptation of the anterior and posterior approaches to the hip. Effectively, it is an anterolateral hip approach, but superficially the hip capsule is approached posteriorly to the gluteus medius and minimus.
In this approach, the hip is never dislocated in the conventional sense This offers the hip with as much stability relative to a perfectly stable hip as possible. The anterior and posterior capsule attachments to the femur are maintained.
In this procedure, the only deep structure or muscle that is released is the piriformis tendon. Subsequently, this is repaired during the closure. The rates of dislocation for this approach are in the range of 0.2-0.3%. This is significantly better than the dislocation rates for both anterior and posterior approaches.
The benefit of this approach is that it does involve any dislocation. Therefore, the tendons, muscles, and capsule are only marginally stretched while removing the cut femoral head. This effectively means less bleeding due to the release and repair of the structures, and possibly less pain.
The sole muscle structure that is sometimes released while undertaking the superior approach is the piriformis tendon. This is subsequently restored in its natural place. The piriformis tendon cannot be repaired using the anterior approach as when the tendon is released it pulls back posteriorly, out of the surgical field.
ADVANTAGES TO THE PATIENT
The benefits of this procedure to the patient are as follows:
- Less muscle or tendon damage
- Reduced hip precautions post-surgery
- Lower rate of dislocation
- Less pain after the procedure and decreased level of pain meds needed
- Patients may be discharged from the hospital even on post-operation day 1.
- Several patients can control pain with OTC pain medicines shortly after the surgery.
- Less blood loss (in comparison to traditional hip replacement)
- Smaller incision placement
- Lower rates of complication
- Leg stays in a more natural position during the surgical procedure (reduced twisting of the extremity)
Home Tips to Follow after Hip Replacement Surgery
Some simple precautions can help you during your post-surgery recovery period at home. These may include:
- Avoid climbing stairs as much as possible
- Sit in a firm chair that has a straight back. Do not use recliners.
- Ensure that the floors and rooms do not have clutter to prevent falls.
- Use a raised toilet seat. This will prevent too much bending at the hips.
- Keep overactive pets away until the healing is complete.
- You should consult your surgeon prior to resuming activities such as sexual activity, driving, and exercise.
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brandon Gough receives patients from Phoenix, Scottsdale, Arizona, and other cities and suburbs in this part of the country for hip and knee surgery.
For more information about hip and knee procedures and treatments by Arizona Board certified orthopedic surgeon, Brandon Gough, M.D., please click here or call us at 602-359-3088. Taking new patients in and around Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa and surrounding Arizona cities.
