Dr. Michael Messieh Discusses the Anterior Approach to THR
December, 2015 | By Michael Messieh, Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Michael Messieh, Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon, offers the latest hip replacement procedure known as the anterior hip approach. What are the advantages of the anterior approach to hip replacement? The anterior approach allows the hip to be replaced without detaching any muscle. The patient is allowed full motion after surgery and generally experiences a quicker recovery. X-ray is used during surgery to position the implants to ensure a more accurate result. Only 20% of orthopaedic surgeons nationwide are using the anterior approach to hip surgery due to the steep learning curve of this technique. Faster Recovery. Patients get up walking full weight bearing on their operative hip the same day of surgery and may use a cane. While it may take patients many months to fully recover following conventional hip replacement surgery, the anterior approach technique enables patients often to recover and return to activities such as golf, tennis, biking and of course distance walking in as short as four weeks.
Minimally Invasive. The anterior approach to hip replacement is the most minimally invasive choice for hip replacement surgery. Some muscles in the front of the hip are temporarily pushed apart to allow work on the bones of the hip joint but are left uninjured and completely functional in this approach. This, of course, results is far less pain than is typical in other approaches to the hip.
Less Restrictive. After conventional hip replacement surgery, patients must limit flexing of the hip to no more than 90 degrees, which complicates normal activities like sitting in a chair, on a toilet seat, putting on shoes or getting into a car. Following the anterior approach surgical procedure, patients are instructed to use their hip normally without cumbersome restrictions and are sent home from the hospital often the next day. Patients can immediately bend their hip freely and bear full weight when comfortable, resulting in a rapid return to normal function.
More Accurate. The use of a specialized X-ray machine known as a fluoroscope allows the surgeon to see the placement of the component parts of the hip prosthesis in real time and to make adjustments immediately. This is necessary to give the patient the most accurately placed hip prosthesis and to assure equal leg lengths before leaving the operating room.
Michael.S, Messieh, MD | 352-243-6899 | Offices in Clermont and Celebration Hospital