A total hip replacement involved removing the existing arthritis and placing a metal cup in the socket and a metal stem down the femur.  There is a plastic, polyethylene, liner that is placed between the ball and the socket to provide a non metal-on-metal weight bearing surface.

Anterior-Approach Hip Replacement

Anterior hip replacement is a minimally-invasive, muscle-sparing hip surgery performed to replace the hip joint.  The incision is made in the front of the hip enabling the surgeon to access the hip joint without cutting any muscles.  A special operating table is used that facilitates various anatomical positions enabling the surgeon to replace the hip joint anteriorly.

Indications

Hip replacement is indicated in patients with arthritis of the hip joint.  Arthritis is a condition in which the articular cartilage that covers the joint surface is damaged or worn out causing pain and inflammation.  Some of the causes of arthritis include:

• Advanced age

• Congenital or developmental hip diseases

• Obesity

• Previous history of hip injury or fracture

• Increased stress on hip because of overuse

Procedure

Anterior-approach hip replacement is performed at the hospital operating room under general or regional anesthesia.  You will be placed on your back on a special operating room table designed to place your hip in various positions to access the hip joint and place the artificial components. 

An approximately 4-inch incision is made over the front of your hip joint.  With this procedure the hip joint is accessed between muscles, therefore, no muscles are cut.  Once the components are in place, the incision is closed with sutures and a sterile dressing is then placed.  You can starting walking on your new hip replacement immediately after surgery.

Postoperative Care

After anterior-approach hip replacement surgery, you will be instructed to follow certain hip precautions to prevent your new hip from dislocating.

Your doctor will also give you other instructions to follow at home for a faster recover.  These include:

• Take medications as prescribed to relieve pain and prevent infection

• Participate in physical therapy to restore hip function and strength

• Eat a healthy diet and do not smoke to facilitate healing, prevent infection, and promote a faster recovery.