Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Surgery in North Texas
At Methodist Health System, orthopedists utilize a variety of treatments
for hip pain. These include traditional hip replacement surgery to a modern,
innovative anterior approach. This minimally invasive hip replacement
procedure has been proven to shorten hospitalization and rehabilitation
times dramatically. This procedure starts at the front of the hip instead
of the back.
Methodist Health System was one of the first health systems in the country
to offer the anterior approach to hip replacement, and we are still one
of the few hospitals in North Texas to offer this advanced procedure.
The first anterior approach at Methodist Dallas was performed in January 2007.
Minimally invasive surgery is performed on a specialized surgical table
(Hana table, at some locations) that allows the surgeon to enter through
a small (4- to 5-inch) incision in the front of the hip in a natural interval
between muscles. This allows for better access to the hip socket and eliminates
the need to cut or detach muscles from the pelvis or femur (long bone
in the upper thigh). With no severed muscles to heal, the new hip is immediately
stable, and there is less risk of dislocating the new hip joint.
Advantages of Anterior Approach Hip Replacement
Patients can expect:
Less pain means fewer pain medications
Patients are back on their feet quicker, often on the same day as surgery
Shorter hospital stays – most patients spend 1 or 2 nights in the
hospital instead of 4 or 6
Faster rehabilitation – patients receive 2 to 4 weeks of rehabilitation
instead of 6 to 12 weeks with conventional hip replacement
Patients only need to use assistive devices like a walker or cane for just
a few weeks
Quicker return to normal activities – including driving and flexing
the hip to sit – within 2 weeks, rather than 2 to 4 months
