Steven Fisher, MD, Fort Wayne Orthopaedics, was one of the first four surgeons in the state to perform anterior arthroplasties. Since May 2008, he has performed over 130 at The Orthopaedic Hospital.
"It's an obvious choice when the benefits for patients are so significant," said Dr. Fisher. "The anterior approach makes it possible to avoid injury to muscles by dissecting between them. Conventional methods require detaching muscles that control hip motion and help prevent dislocation. Trauma to these muscles causes pain and swelling that requires additional healing time and six to 10 weeks of rehab. In addition, there are major restrictions, such as not flexing the hip beyond 90 degrees, which affects basic activities like sitting, crossing the legs, putting on shoes and driving.
"Patients who undergo anterior-approach hip replacement have less pain and scarring, have fewer restrictions, have a lower risk of dislocation, stay in the hospital fewer days and have a significantly quicker recovery time," Dr. Fisher added.
Advantages of Anterior Approach to Hip Replacement Surgery
Anterior Approach
- Hospital stay—Two to three days
- Incision size—Four to five inches
- Muscle trauma—No muscle detachment
- Recovery time—Two to four weeks
Conventional Surgery
- Hospital stay—Three to five days
- Incision size—10 to 12 inches
- Muscle trauma—Muscles are cut, detached, then repaired
- Recovery time—Six to 10 weeks