Theodore P. Firestone, M.D
250+ Anterior Approach Surgeries
The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale
20401 N. 73rd St. Suite 160
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Phone: (480) 237-5727
Fax: (480) 657-3207
Email: debbie@tjrcs.com
Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale Website

I performed the first Anterior Hip replacement surgeryat Scottsdale Healthcare Shea in June of 2008. I adopted this technique because, in my opinion, it is truly the “absolute best” way to perform a total hip replacement. The technique was originally developed in France by pelvic trauma surgeons. Dr Matta of Los Angeles has pioneered the technique in this country and helped develop a special table to facilitate the approach. The technique is the least invasive way to perform total hip replacement in that the muscles are spread rather than split. Patients have less pain and less post-operative precautions. An independent study by the Physical Therapy Department at Scottsdale Hospital showed that patients undergoing Anterior Hip Replacement left the hospital a full day earlier than patients undergoing the more conventional posterior approach. After performing over 250 of these procedures I have found that component positioning and leg length are more accurately achieved with the approach. The technique is technically demanding and requires special training as well as the use of a special table. Only 10 percent of the total hip replacement surgeries around the country are being performed with this technique.”… Dr. Ted Firestone,  explains this innovative approach currently used in approximately 20 percent of hip replacement surgeries nationally. Pioneered by Joel Matta of Los Angeles, world-renowned pelvic fracture surgeon, the anterior hip replacement technique has meant less pain and fewer post-operative precautions for patients.

This is the least invasive way to perform a total hip replacement because the muscles about the hip are spread rather than incised. “In my experience, patients undergoing anterior hip replacement versus the conventional posterior surgery leave the hospital a full day earlier. I’ve also found that they experience less post-op pain and require fewer precautions.

“I’ve performed over 600 of these procedures using a special orthopedic table. This table allows for x-rays to be obtained during the procedure which help to improve the accuracy of component positioning and leg length determination.”
Recently, I was extremely honored to have Dr. Edward Dietrich, world renowned cardiac surgeon, say this about his experience:

Throughout my career as a heart and vascular surgeon, I have always pursued innovation. Advances in technology have made procedures less invasive, allowing patients an easier recovery and a faster return to normal activity. When I was ready for my hip to be replaced, my research led me to select the anterior hip replacement technique and Dr. Ted Firestone at the Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale. Six hours after my surgery, I walked the full circle around the orthopedic floor and less than 2 weeks later was back in my own operating room at the Arizona Heart Hospital. When I look back at my experience with my other hip replacement ten years earlier, there is simply no comparison.

-Dr. Edward Dietrich