Anterior Hip Replacement Specialists

When should I consider hip replacement?

Hip replacement (also known as hip arthroplasty) is an option worth considering if you have severe hip pain and disability, or if other treatments aren't helping.

This kind of pain and loss of function can be due to joint trauma or conditions like osteonecrosis (bone death). However, the most common cause of chronic hip pain is osteoarthritis, which develops as the protective coating of cartilage around your bones wears away.

We may recommend that patients with mild osteoarthritis begin their treatment program with nonsurgical therapies. These could include:

• Rest

• Activity modification

• Ice packs

• Medication

• Physical therapy

While many patients find these treatments effective in controlling and alleviating hip pain, they don't work for everyone. That is when you might need to discuss total hip replacement surgery with your surgeon.

What happens when I have total hip replacement surgery?

During your hip replacement surgery, your surgeon replaces the damaged ends of your hip bones, both in the femur and pelvis, with a ball-and-socket implant. There's a ball on a stem to replace the ball-shaped top of your femur. The stem fits into the hollow center of your femur and holds the ball in place.

We use bone cement or screws to attach the replacement socket (acetabulum) into your pelvis. Between the ball and the socket, your surgeon inserts a spacer to prevent friction between the new parts.

In the traditional approach to hip replacement, your surgeon enters through the side or back of the hip and cuts through the muscles to get to the hip bones. 

In the anterior approach to hip replacement, your surgeon enters the hip through the front instead of the side or back. This approach causes less pain and a faster recovery because it:

Spares muscles

The anterior approach accesses the hip by passing around or between muscle groups, instead of splitting muscles or releasing muscle attachments.

Lowers dislocation risk

Going through the front instead of the side or back of the hip also decreases dislocation risks compared with other hip replacement approaches.

Allows X-rays during surgery

Because surgeons can use imaging during the procedure, the anterior alternative helps them get a more accurate assessment of matching leg lengths and optimizing implant position. Drs. Lackey and Carter perform the anterior approach.

With modern techniques and implants, the traditional and anterior approaches can be performed as outpatient procedures.

What are revision hip replacements?

Revision hip replacement is surgery to correct a problem with a previous hip replacement. Although hip replacement surgery is typically very successful, part of the joint may develop a fault or suffer damage after years of use. If this occurs, your surgeon replaces the affected components.

To find out whether hip replacement surgery could relieve your hip pain, call our office to book an appointment.