Total hip replacement surgery was so revolutionary in the 1990s that it was coined “the surgery of the century.” Since then, this quality-of-life enhancing procedure has continued to advance. The most recent innovation? A minimally invasive procedure called anterior-approach hip replacement, which appears to offer even greater improvement to the already groundbreaking hip replacement of the 1990s.
“Anterior-approach hip replacement is a beautiful procedure,” says Jason Weisstein, MD, MPH, FACS, Orthopedic Surgeon at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group. “I say this because unlike other types of hip replacement surgery, it’s a muscle-sparing procedure. That means the orthopedic surgeon goes through natural muscle planes rather than directly through muscle fiber.”
This “gentler” approach – also called the mini-anterior approach hip replacement
or muscle-sparing hip replacement – is popular among patients. That’s because the recovery is fast, pain is minimal and the results are excellent.
According to Dr. Weisstein – an anterior-approach hip replacement expert – patients typically return home the day of surgery and without a list of precautions in hand. Because no tendons are detached during the procedure, people are able to resume their regular daily activities immediately. Six-to-eight weeks after surgery, most are back on the golf course, pickleball court or enjoying other favorite activities.
Choosing the Hip Replacement that’s Right for You
Among the most positive aspects of hip replacement surgery is the availability of different options that suit the unique needs of every individual. In addition to anterior-approach hip replacement, patients may undergo:
- Posterior-approach hip replacement – This is the most common hip replacement surgery and as the name suggests, it involves an incision on the back of the hip.
- Lateral-approach hip replacement – During this surgery, the least common of the three procedures, the hip is replaced through an incision on the side.
Studies show hip replacement surgery has an unprecedented 95 percent success rate. Additionally, 90 percent of artificial hips still function more than 20 years after surgery.
Dr. Weisstein: An Expert in Anterior-Approach Hip Replacement
Only 10-20 percent of orthopedic surgeons nationwide perform anterior-approach hip replacement surgery. The reason? Anterior-approach hip replacement requires special training and is challenging to master.
“After an orthopedic surgeon undergoes training for anterior-approach hip replacement, there’s a steep learning curve,” explains Dr. Weisstein. “By that I don’t mean performing five or 10 surgeries. I mean 100 to 200 surgeries.”
Dr. Weisstein has successfully performed nearly 2,000 anterior-approach hip replacement surgeries. During the procedure, he uses the Hanaâ table, a specially designed surgical table needed to perform the surgery. The Hanaâ table is available at both Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) campuses.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Weisstein, speak to your physician or call YRMG, Orthopedic Surgery at (928) 708-4545. For more information about YRMG, Orthopedic Surgery, visit our web community.
Submitted by Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Group
Dr. Jason Weisstein of YRMG, Orthopedic Surgery is an expert in minimally invasive hip replacement surgery.