Anterior total hip replacement provides a minimally invasive treatment for hip arthritis and other painful hip-related conditions. At the Joint Preservation Institute, with offices in Sacramento, Walnut Creek, and the Lower Nob Hill neighborhood in San Francisco, California, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Amir Jamali, MD, specializes in anterior total hip replacement. The relatively new procedure uses smaller incisions than traditional hip replacement surgery, allowing for fewer complications and quicker recovery times. Call the nearest Joint Preservation Institute office today to learn more about anterior total hip replacement, or book your appointment online.
Traditional hip replacement is an open orthopedic surgery that involves a large, 12-inch incision. Though effective, the healing process typically takes several months and presents the risk of complications like infection and noticeable scarring.
Alternatively, anterior total hip replacement is minimally invasive. The incisions are much smaller (only three or four inches), and the recovery process is quicker. What’s more, most patients report less pain and better treatment outcomes.
Consider anterior total hip replacement if you have chronic pain and stiffness in one or both hip joints, particularly if the pain and stiffness don’t respond to at-home treatments like ice, rest, and activity changes. Without treatment, ailments like hip arthritis often worsen, increasing your risk of mobility problems.
Before recommending anterior total hip replacement, Dr. Jamali completes a preoperative exam. He carefully examines your affected hip and orders X-rays to look closer at your hip joint and hip bones.
Let Dr. Jamali know about your medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements. You should also tell him if you drink alcohol or use other substances, like marijuana. Certain classes of drugs can increase the risk of surgical complications, so Dr. Jamali must be aware.
Dr. Jamali usually recommends conservative treatments initially, like corticosteroid injections and physical therapy. But if your hip pain continues or worsens, you’re likely a candidate for surgery.
Anterior total hip replacement is an outpatient procedure that takes several hours.
Before the operation begins, Dr. Jamali administers a general anesthetic, causing you to fall asleep. He then makes several small incisions in the front of your groin and carefully removes damaged or diseased portions of your hip joint. Dr. Jamali replaces some or all of your hip joint with a metal, plastic, or ceramic prosthesis.
After making the necessary repairs and securing your artificial joint, Dr. Jamali removes the surgical tools, closes the incisions, and moves you to a recovery suite for observation. It takes several hours for the anesthetic to wear off, so you need to have a friend or family member drive you home.
Call the Joint Preservation Institute today to schedule an anterior total hip replacement consultation, or book online.