What is the Direct Anterior Hip Replacement?

     The Direct Anterior Hip replacement is a way to perform a hip replacement without detaching the muscles from the hip bone.  The benefit is an enhanced early recovery after surgery compared to the traditional hip replacement.  Most people use a walker for a week and a cane for 2-4 weeks.  There is very little limp after surgery and leg lengths can be accurately estabished during the surgery.  The risk of dislocation is lowest with this approach as is the occurence of blood clots.  Dr. Das and Dr. Seng are specially trained to perform this surgery.  click to read more

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Dr. Seng has published two articles on the Direct Anterior Hip Replacement in leading orthopedic journals

     Through his extensive training in the direct anterior approach to total hip replacement, Dr. Seng has co-authored two papers in leading orthopedic journals related to this procedure.  The first article entitled "Enhanced Early Outcomes with the Anterior Supine Intermuscular Approach in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty" was published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.  This article found improvement in the early outcome after surgery compared to a traditional lateral approach in patients undergoing total hip replacment. 

    

     The second article was published in the Orthopedic Clinics of North America and focuses on the learning curve for the surgeon with this newer approach to performing a hip replacement.  Most surgeons were trained in the traditional approaches and may perform the hip replacement with little difficulty.  The anterior approach is a novel way to do a hip replacement and is associated with a learning curve for the surgeon before they become comfortable with it.  This is the only article published looking at this particular factor associated with the procedure.  Both Dr. Seng and Dr. Das have extensive training and experience in performing this procedure.

What is Rapid Recovery Joint Replacement?

The rapid recovery program is more than just a minimally invasive surgery.  It includes:

     1.  Educating the patient prior to surgery

     2.  Preoperative physical therapy consultation

     3.  Coordinating a team focused on the care of joint replacement surgery

     4.  Minimally invasive surgery

     5.  Effective pain control protocols that decrease pain while minimizing postoperative nausea/vomiting

     6.  Early postoperative physical therapy evaluation and mobilization

     7.  Clinical pathways that help standardize the postoperative experience

     8.  Efficient discharge planning

 

At Joint Specialists of WNC, our team is dedicated to making your joint replacement experience the best it can be.

When are you ready for a hip replacement?

  • When the pain or stiffness becomes severe and you lose the ability to perform routine day-to-day activities
  • Inablity to partcitipate in activites such as golfing, playing tennis, riding a bicycle or going on hikes
  • The need for a hip replacement goes beyond the xray
  • Once educated on the diagnosis, patients usually know when they are ready for a hip replacement

 

What is a hip replacement?

  • The traditional hip replacement replaces the arthritic hip with a metal shell and plastic liner in the pelvis and a metal rod in the thigh bone with a metal or ceramic ball.
  • The metal rod is usually press-fit in the thigh with a special coating that allows the bone to grow into it and become part of the body, however in some situations we may use cement to hold in in the bone. 

 

How long will my hip replacement last?

  • Most will last more than 15 years
  • Some will start to wear out in 10-12 years and may need to have the plastic liner changed
  • We recommend periodic evaluations/xrays starting 10-12 years after surgery

 

     There are other reasons that a hip replacement may need to redone, such as component loosening, dislocation or infection.  At Joint Specialists of WNC, we are fellowship trained and highly experienced in revision hip replacement surgery.  We are in fact a referral center for Western North Carolina for complicated first time hip replacements and revision hip surgery.  We look forward to serving the residents of Hendersonville, Asheville, Brevard, Rutherfordton, Western North Carolina and the Upstate with high quality, compassionate orthopedic care.  Please come visit us.