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Total Hip Replacement
Home > Procedures > Total Hip ReplacementSwift Surgeries operates under the philosophy that a well-educated patient can assist in optimizing the results of their hip replacement. We assess our patient’s health as a whole entity, focusing not only on their physical health, but their mental and emotional health as well. Our company believes in the benefits of equipping patients with thorough knowledge of our joint replacement procedures, which they can then use to optimize their wellness and post-operative results. This includes potential risks or complications, what their individual road to recovery will look like, and post-operative expectations. Beyond that, we introduce each of our patients to a Nurse Navigator, or someone they can be in constant contact with throughout the process to confidently express any questions or concerns they may be experiencing. Download Whole Health’s new patient joint replacement packet today and schedule your consultation with a hip replacement specialist to discuss whether a total hip replacement is right for you.
The team of hip replacement specialists at Swift Surgeries focus on direct anterior, or minimally invasive, total hip replacements. During this procedure, the incision and surgical dissection is made in an area that is 100% respectful to the normal patient anatomy, where there are no muscles or tendons that are cut and significantly less tissue damage and blood loss, resulting in a significantly faster recovery. As a result, post-operative physical therapy is not typically required when recovering from a direct anterior hip replacement. Dr. Molli’s team has completed over 5,000 of these minimally invasive total hip replacement surgeries and counting. (On average, we complete 1,200 joint replacements a year, as opposed to 300-800 a year averaged by other local hospitals).
Direct anterior hip replacement surgeries are known for their excellent leg length restoration and success in proper component placement. Swift Surgeries employs an expert team – from surgeons and anesthesiologists to pre-op nurses, post-op nurses, and beyond – with the knowledge and experience necessary to make your direct anterior hip replacement a success. No primary care referral? No problem. We take it upon ourselves to assess the physical and mental preparations necessary for each of our patients, educating them thoroughly about any given surgical procedure. We believe this knowledge can lead to positive lifestyle choices and changes in behavior that can optimize the results of each operation we perform.
Traditional hip replacements are often done by making a more invasive incision on the side of the hip, directly cutting through the muscles. The most common traditional hip replacement approach is known as the posterior approach, which accounts for roughly 70% of hip replacements. The second most common type of total hip replacement is known as the direct lateral approach, which can be attributed to roughly 15% of total hip replacements. Both of these procedures are noted for cutting the most amount of muscles, which inherently destabilizes the hip joint and results in the highest amount of total hip prosthetic dislocations. Both of these traditional approaches require extensive physical therapy and lead to a temporary limp during the healing process; beyond that, there are substantial precautions to consider, and both operations can lead to long-term leg length discrepancies and instability issues. Procedures like this are the reason Swift Surgeries and Whole Health were founded – as a commitment to discovering and innovating patient-friendly alternatives.
The advantages of the posterior approach and the direct lateral approach are quite similar. Both procedures are relatively easy to perform for less-skilled or inexperienced surgeons and lend to wide exposure. However, the disadvantage of using traditional approaches for total hip replacements includes damaging large amounts of muscle. The posterior and direct lateral approach, in particular, damage tremendous amounts of muscles and detach muscles/tendons from bone. In fact, in using the posterior approach when doing a total hip replacement it has the highest risk of dislocation (2%-6% of patients).
While direct anterior hip replacement surgeries can be challenging for surgeons from a technical standpoint, it is also the least invasive approach to completing a total hip replacement. Specialized tables, equipment, and more demanding preparations are required to ensure this procedure is successful. The direct anterior hip replacement approach is inherently incredibly stable, presenting an extremely low risk of dislocation. This operation allows for real-time fluoroscopic feedback, accurate component sizing and positioning, and easier leg length restoration. In this way, the direct anterior hip replacement approach matches closely with our minimally invasive philosophy as medical professionals. Contact Swift Surgeries today to schedule your consultation with a hip replacement specialist and discuss whether a total hip replacement may be right for you.
In addition to the information below, please reference your Swift Surgeries Patient Handbook for extended information regarding pre-operative care, day of surgery care, and post-operative care.
Swift Surgeries and Edgewood Surgical Hospital are dedicated to keeping your medical information confidential. All consents will be obtained with your written authorization. Our privacy policies will be shared both in the office setting as well as during your hospital admission.
Some medications will need to be stopped or adjusted prior to surgery, which will be discussed at this appointment. These may include blood pressure medications, diabetic medications, and blood thinners. Blood thinning medications may include Coumadin, Lovenox, Pradaxa, Plavix, Xarelto, and NSAIDs (i.e. ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin).
Immunosuppressant medications (i.e. methotrexate) will also need to be stopped prior to the surgery and we will notify you of when you should stop these as the time periods differ depending upon the medication. These will be resumed approximately six weeks after surgery. Please discuss any blood thinning medications and/or immunosuppressants with the Whole Health team, as well as with the Internal Medicine specialist that will be doing your pre-operative clearance.
You will be transferred to the PACU after your surgery. The PACU nurses will help to take care of you during this phase of your recovery, which often lasts for several hours. They will help to keep you comfortable along with any other needs you may have at this point. Your family will not be allowed back into the PACU, but will rejoin you once you have been transferred to your private hospital room.
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