By Nikhil Chokshi, MD, McLean County Orthopedics
If your hip has been damaged by arthritis, a fracture, or other conditions, common activities such as walking or getting in and out of a chair may be painful and difficult. Your hip may be stiff, and it may be hard to put on your shoes and socks. You may even feel uncomfortable while resting, and pain may make it difficult to sleep at night.
If medications, changes in your everyday activities, and the use of walking supports do not adequately help your symptoms, you may consider hip replacement surgery. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, more than 285,000 total hip replacements are performed each year in the United States. Hip replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure that can relieve your pain, increase motion, and help you get back to enjoying normal, everyday activities.
There are several different methods for replacing a hip joint. One successful method that has been utilized more frequently in the past decade, is the “anterior approach.” As opposed to the posterior and lateral approaches to the procedure, the anterior method utilizes a muscle sparing or inter-muscular approach meaning the work is done between the planes of muscle tissue rather than requiring the muscles and tendons to be cut. This means that patients tend to rehabilitate more quickly. Patients walk earlier, walk independently earlier, and they’re more stable. There’s a much lower dislocation rate and the orthopedic surgeon is able to more consistently reproduce the anatomy regarding limb length and offset — keeping the legs the same length and the width of the pelvis the same in order to keep the same muscle tension as was there originally. There are also no hip precautions, meaning the patient is not limited to the movements they can make after surgery because the hip is inherently more stable after an anterior replacement.
There are still some cases where the posterior or lateral approach is best for the patient. An experienced orthopedic surgeon will be able to utilize whichever approach is ideal for the situation, based on patient factors such as body habitus, deformity, or even arthritic conditions. The goal is to be able to provide a wider range of options in order to improve overall patient care.
Most people who undergo hip replacement surgery experience a dramatic reduction of hip pain and a significant improvement in their ability to perform the common activities of daily living. Realistic activities following total hip replacement include unlimited walking, swimming, golf, driving, hiking, biking, dancing, and other low-impact sports. With appropriate activity modification, hip replacements can last for many years.
If you believe you are a candidate for a hip replacement, talk to your doctor. Your orthopedic surgeon will review the results of your evaluation with you and discuss whether hip replacement surgery is the best method to relieve your pain and improve your mobility. Other treatment options — such as medications, physical therapy, or other types of surgery — also may be considered.
In addition, your orthopedic surgeon will explain the potential risks and complications of hip replacement surgery, including those related to the surgery itself and those that can occur over time after your surgery.
Never hesitate to ask your doctor questions when you do not understand. The more you know, the better you will be able to manage the changes that hip replacement surgery will make in your life.
For more information, you may contact Dr. Nikhil Chokshi at McLean County Orthopedics, 309-663-6461 or www.mcleancountyorthopedics.com. The practice treats all types of orthopedic conditions and offers a comprehensive range of services. Their office is located at 2502 E. Empire in Bloomington.
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