According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four people in the United States suffer from arthritis, which is approximately 54.4 million people. Arthritis, specifically osteoarthritis, is the leading cause of hip pain and damage that can lead to hip replacements in the future. While undergoing any surgical procedure can be daunting, knowing the most common types of hip replacements, and what to expect from them, can help.
Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement
A minimally invasive hip replacement differs from a traditional total hip replacement in that one or two small incisions are made on the side of the hip, rather than having a single, 10-12-inch-long incision. Some of the benefits of this procedure include a faster recovery time of about four weeks (which is half of the recovery time needed for a traditional hip replacement), minimal soft tissue damage from incision, less blood loss, and mild to moderate post-operative pain—nothing a Tylenol can’t help.
While recovery time is different for every person, you can find more information concerning the benefits of minimally invasive hip replacements over traditional total hip replacements here.
Robotic Hip Replacement
American Hip Institute’s Dr. Benjamin Domb was the first surgeon in the United States to perform outpatient robotic hip replacement. With the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology, the surgeon is in full control of the robotic-arm, which is used to increase accuracy and precision. The robotic-arm uses 3D imaging to depict the patient’s hip bone which can drastically reduce surgical inaccuracies.
It’s important to note that the Mako System does not perform surgery, make decisions on its own, or move without the surgeon guiding it. The robotic-arm also allows your surgeon to pivot (no pun intended,) from your plan during surgery as needed.
Recovery times vary from person to person with it taking anywhere between three to six months to heal. According to an internal study conducted on 162 patients who underwent robotic-assisted hip replacement, patients were followed for two years postoperatively, and were twice as likely to feel that their hip was the equivalent of a normal hip.
Outpatient Anterior Approach Hip Replacement
To understand what an outpatient anterior approach hip replacement is, let’s break it down into easily digestible terms. An outpatient procedure means that you will be discharged home the same day of surgery once anesthesia wears off post-operation. Not only do you get to recover in the comfort of your home, but it lowers the cost of surgery since there are no hospital room related charges. The “anterior approach” refers to the access point of the surgery to be in front of the hip. The speedy recovery time from the outpatient anterior approach hip replacement can take anywhere from one month to six weeks, and pain medications will be given to relieve pain. To learn more about outpatient anterior approach hip replacements, read here.
Need Surgery? Consult a Specialist
The American Hip Institute is a team of expert hip specialists who can help you find the hip replacement surgery that’s right for you. We offer comprehensive evaluations, treatment plans, and rehabilitation programs to get you back on your hips in no time. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
