Minimally Invasive Hip

Replacement

Minimally Invasive Hip Surgery Washington DC

The anterior approach to hip surgery is vastly different from the conventional approaches. It poses many advantages to patients who are considering hip surgery. Because all patients are different, Dr. Goyal will do a thorough examination before deciding conclusively to utilize the anterior approach. If you are a candidate for anterior hip replacement, the differences are as follows:

Direct Anterior Approach	Conventional Approaches
Average hospital stay is zero to two days. With Dr. Goyal’s exceptional surgical technique and postoperative pain management many patients are able to go home the same day.	Average hospital stay is one to four days depending on hospital and surgeon protocols and the patient.
The hip joint is accessed between two muscle planes, without cutting through any muscle, potentially contributing to less pain and faster recovery.	The hip joint is accessed by cutting though the major hip muscles which has the potential to result in increased postoperative pain and recovery time.
There are usually no precautions after surgery with regards to hip motion. The patient may sit in a regular seat and may sleep in any position that is comfortable.	Usually patients will have specific “precautions” which mean they are recommended not to sit certain ways or cross their legs due to the risk of dislocation. Often times patients will be told to sleep with a pillow between their legs and use an elevated toilet seat because of the risk.
The risk of hip dislocation (a complication which means the hip pops out of the socket) is extremely low (less than 0.5%)	The risk of hip dislocation is about 1-3%.
There is increased risk of numbness on the lateral (outside) aspect of the leg because of stretching of a sensory nerve. This usually resolves in 4 weeks to 2 years but a very small percentage of patients have continued numbness on the outside of the thigh.	Usually numbness is only around the incision itself.

Dr. Goyal feels that the true benefit with regards to “recovery time” is really a patient-based concept. Some patients will recover faster and some patients will recover slower. This is often time based on the baseline activity of the patient BEFORE surgery. Someone that is very healthy and very fit and active before surgery has the potential for a faster and easier recovery, but again it is different for every patient. Regardless of whether the patient has an “anterior” or “conventional” approach to the hip the surgery should be done by following the critical concepts of hip replacement surgery:

• An efficient surgery should be performed
• Blood loss should be minimized
• The replacement parts should be placed in an optimal position
• The hip joint must be stable at the end of the procedure

As important as the surgery is the pre- and post-operative management. The patient must understand the recovery process before undergoing the surgery. Dr. Goyal strongly believes that postoperatively pain management and early mobilization are critical to the success of the operation.

Anterior Hip Replacement Procedure

In the interest of the best possible outcome, Dr. Goyal uses a regular operating room table when performing anterior hip replacements. This allows Dr. Goyal and his team to consistently and accurately manipulate the position of the leg, exposing the hip joint in a way that allows for the smallest possible incision and minimal muscular damage.

Once the patient has been properly anesthetized, Dr. Goyal begins the anterior hip replacement, which is also known as a minimally invasive anterior hip replacement. The incision is located along the front of the thigh. This is drastically different from the posterior approach, in which the incision is located along the back of the leg.

Once the incision is made, Dr. Goyal can access the hip joint by simply separating the underlying muscles. Because the anterior approach does not require cutting through any muscles, it potentially leaves the patient in less pain after surgery, and may result in shortened recovery time.

Once the hip joint is exposed, Dr. Goyal can proceed with the surgery itself. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint, and Dr. Goyal removes all damaged or arthritic cartilage from both the ball and the socket. Once this is done, both the ball and the socket are replaced with prosthetic components using precision techniques developed over many years. If necessary because the patient is flat on their back for the surgery Dr. Goyal has the ability to use x-ray to verify component positioning.

Once the prosthetic components have been successfully installed and Dr. Goyal is satisfied with their placement, he closes the incision.

Anterior Hip Replacement Recovery

The anterior approach to hip replacement is also known as a tissue-sparing approach. This is because it cuts through the minimum amount of muscle and tissue in order to access the hip joint. Through this technique, the anterior approach seeks to help patients achieve full mobility and bear full weight immediately after surgery. This is a stark contrast to other approaches, which may require six to eight weeks of “precautions,” operating under strictly regulated activities.

Physical therapy is part of the recovery process. Your body will need to adjust to the hip implant, so the physical therapists will prescribe exercises to promote mobility and hip function following the surgery. This will likely take place at your home after a few weeks it will be at an outpatient physical therapy center.

The office of Dr. Nitin Goyal is committed to give total care during your recovery period; we are always striving to provide the best in anterior hip replacement Washington, DC and Northern Virginia have available. In addition to follow-up appointments, our office is on call to answer any questions and concerns that may arise following surgery. We encourage our patients to call any time they have a question, and we will assist in any way we can.

While most patients are candidates for anterior hip replacement surgery, the final determination will be made after a thorough analysis by Dr. Goyal. The initial consultation and examination will shed light on the exact issue as well as your individual anatomy. Take a moment to also visit and learn about a total hip replacement surgery in Washingtion D.C.. You can give us a call to find out more about how we provide among the best anterior hip replacement Washington DC and Northern Virginia offer. Our representatives will be happy to help with anything you need.