Su McKee, who was up and walking the same day after her hip replacement surgery at Methodist, shown here with Dr. Phil Berry, an orthopedic Surgeon on the Methodist Health System Medical Staff. Dr. Berry is one of the first 10 physicians in Texas to perform the procedure.

Patients Walk the Same Day After New Hip Surgery Procedure at Methodist
New anterior approach revolutionizes recovery time

Alfred Repka, 83, is a self-described, “outside person.” He enjoys building things and spending time outdoors. But, increasing pain in his hip limited his ability to enjoy his normally active life. The pain became so intense, he was unable to walk. Su McKee, 62, loves to go to Texas A&M Football games and play with her 17 month old granddaughter.  But, increasing pain in her hip caused by arthritis limited her ability to enjoy her normally active life. The pain became so intense, she had difficulty even walking.

Both Mr. Repka and Mrs. McKee sought help from Dr. Phil Berry, an orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. Dr. Berry was recently trained in a new approach to total hip replacement which is much less traumatic for the patient.

The procedure allows doctors to approach the hip from the front of the joint, instead of the traditional lateral or posterior approach.  Muscles do not have to be cut and sewn back with the new anterior approach, causing less trauma to the tissues. The result is a much faster return to function.  In most patients, the hospital stay ranges from 2 – 4 days, as opposed to 5-7 days when the surgery is performed the traditional way.  According to Dr. Berry, postoperative pain is very minimal, and the patient may walk immediately.  Many patients discontinue using a walker or other assistive device is as few as 10-14 days.

Methodist Dallas Medical Center purchased a special operative table to support the new procedure that allows a smaller incision and much less traumatic surgery for hip replacements.  Dr. Berry is one of the first 10 physicians in the State of Texas currently using this approach for hip replacement.

Mr. Repka, who was up and walking the same day after his surgery, was Dr. Berry’s and the hospital’s first patient to undergo the innovative approach to hip replacement.   “I feel great,” said Mr. Repka, who had undergone a hip replacement using the traditional approach 3 years ago. “It took him 2 months of physical therapy after his first hip replacement to get as far as he has in just one day with this new procedure,” added his wife, “We are very pleased.”

Similarly, Mrs. McKee was walking the halls the day after her surgery. “I’m just looking forward to getting my life back,” said Mrs. McKee, “This is fantastic, it really is.”

For more information or to find an independently practicing physician on the Methodist Medical staff trained in the anterior approach to hip surgery, call 214-947-0000.