McLEOD ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON
EXPLAINS DIRECT ANTERIOR
HIP REPLACEMENT
David Woodbury, MD
| McLeod Orthopaedics
It is inevitable. Pain in the joints is something that we will all
experience as we grow older. For those of us who are fortunate,
this may be localized to a single small joint. For others, it may be
a major weight-bearing joint such as the hip or the knee, or even
the back. And for many, multiple joints may be involved, which
can significantly impact a person’s lifestyle. Living with joint pain
on a daily basis not only affects your mobility, but can lead to
depression and difficulty with relationships as well.
The hip is a major weight-bearing joint which is frequently
affected by arthritis. Symptoms include stiffness in the leg, an
inability to bend at the waist, cross or separate your legs, or simply
reach your shoes without experiencing pain in the lower back,
groin, thigh, or even in the knee. This can be quite debilitating and
can impact many areas of life, from simply walking or rising to stand
to being able to remain sexually active without experiencing pain.
When it comes to solutions to joint pain, surgical options that
are less invasive, less painful, have fewer activity restrictions and
require a shorter time investment for recovery, simply make sense.
Surgery for arthritis of the hip is no exception.
Total Hip Arthroplasty (Total Hip Replacement) is one of the most
successful surgical procedures ever developed. Since it was first
performed in 1960, many improvements to the procedure have
been made to increase the likelihood of success. Traditional hip
replacement takes place through an incision on the side or back
of the hip, which requires detachment of muscles and typically
a somewhat larger incision. More recently, an approach to hip
replacement has become popular which allows fewer activity
restrictions after surgery and usually results in less post-surgical
pain. This approach is called the ‘Direct Anterior Approach.’
A version of this surgical approach to the hip was developed
many years ago, but has been modified to accommodate total hip
replacement. It can be done through a smaller incision and does
not require detachment of muscles, resulting in less pain after
surgery. The procedure is also performed with the patient lying on
their back, which allows for a more stable reconstruction of the hip.
Most patients go home within one day of surgery. Results vary,
but my experience has been that patients have been able to walk
into my office for their post-operative appointment 14 days later
needing little, if any, assistance. Many are thankful that they do not
have an incision on the back of the hip, right where they need to sit.
As with any surgery, there are risks involved, and the surgical
risks with Direct Anterior Hip Replacement are really no different
than with traditional hip replacement. You will want to discuss
these risks thoroughly with your surgeon so that you understand
them fully and also discuss other treatment options.
This is something orthopedic professionals have come to know as
‘shared decision making.’ Good communication with the surgeon
and his/her staff is paramount to the success of your treatment.
You should also consider taking a family member or a friend along
to your appointment with the surgeon. Having someone with you
as a second set of ears helps ensure you get all of the details.
Don’t be held captive by
hip pain. If you would like
to learn more, or to find
out if you are a candidate
for Direct Anterior Hip
Replacement, join
Dr. Woodbury for an
educational dinner at the
McLeod Plaza on April 19,
2016 at 6 p.m. Please call
(843) 777-2005 to register.
Dr. David Woodbury is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon with McLeod Orthopaedics. He specializes in Sports Medicine and Joint Reconstruction
and sees patients in both Florence and Manning locations. Dr. Woodbury is accepting new patients. For an appointment, call (843) 777-7900.
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APRIL 2016
SHEMAGAZINE.COM