An anterior hip replacement surgery replaces damaged bones in your hip joint with an artificial hip. It is a minimally invasive surgery; hence minimal risks of complications, less pain, and quicker recovery. Your surgeon makes an incision in the front area of your hip, so there is less damage to the surrounding muscles and tendons. Your Mitchell Hip and Knee doctor may recommend anterior hip replacement if your hip joint is damaged by arthritis, fracture, infection, tumor, or avascular necrosis.
What preparations do you need before anterior hip replacement?
Before your anterior hip replacement, you will have an appointment with your specialist. The specialist will ask about medications or supplements you may be taking and if you have any allergies to medications, foods, or things like latex. Your provider will instruct you not to eat or drink anything eight to twelve hours before surgery. You may also have to stop certain medications like aspirin as they can increase the risk of bleeding.
What happens during the anterior hip replacement process?
You may undergo anterior hip replacement surgery under general or regional anesthesia. The surgery involves your surgeon making an incision of about three to four inches around the front area of your hip. The surgeon then moves the muscles and other tissues out of the way, allowing the provider access and view of your joint. The specialist removes the ball of your hip joint and any damaged bone or cartilage in the socket of your hip bone and replaces them with artificial ones.
What happens after anterior hip replacement surgery?
After the anesthesia wears off, you can have someone take you home if you have an outpatient procedure. You should be able to put weight on your new hip after surgery. Most patients walk using a walker or crutches the day after the replacement. Your doctor will tell you when to start physical therapy to help you regain strength and mobility.
What are the benefits of anterior hip replacement surgery?
Anterior hip replacement surgery is minimally invasive, so you will experience less pain, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stay. The surgery enables you to be more functional at home after discharge and lowers the risk of hip dislocation and different leg lengths after replacement. In most cases, doctors perform anterior hip replacement as an outpatient procedure.
What are the possible complications of anterior hip replacement?
Like other surgeries, anterior hip replacement may cause some complications. Possible anterior hip replacement includes reactions to general anesthesia, heavy bleeding surgery, and hip joint infection or bone infection. Other possible complications include blood clots in your leg, injury to neighboring muscles and nerves, dislocation of your hip joint, and different leg lengths and loose joints.
An anterior hip replacement surgery replaces damaged bones in your hip joint with an artificial hip. The surgery involves minimal pain, low risks of infection, and quicker recovery. Schedule an appointment at Mitchell Hip and Knee for anterior hip replacement to relieve your hip pain and restore hip function and range of motion.
