Total Hip Replacement Surgery – Fort Worth
Total Hip Replacement Surgery – Step by Step Arthroplasty Procedure
Total hip replacement surgery can vary depending on the severity of the condition and surgical approach. The following steps give some general guidelines as to how hip arthroplasty is typically performed:
- Prior to the hip surgery, the orthopedic surgeon marks the area that will be operated on, and all patient vital signs are checked.
- Either a general anesthesia (which will put the patient to sleep) or a regional anesthesia, such as an epidural (which will block any sensation below the waist) is administered.
- Once hip surgery begins, the orthopedic surgeon will make an incision (about 10 inches for traditional hip arthroplasty) at the side or back of the hip to expose the hip joint.
- The joint is dislocated by removing the femur from the socket, or acetabulum.
- The surgeon uses a bone saw to remove the femoral head and prepares the socket by grinding and shaping it with a specialized tool called a reamer.
Prosthetic replacement parts are placed by the orthopedic surgeon, including:
- Acetabular cup (placed into the newly shaped socket)
- Acetabular liner (inside the cup to ensure smooth movement)
- Femoral stem (metal shaft that fits inside the femur and holds the prosthetic ball)
- Prosthetic ball (attached to the femoral stem)
- The prosthesis may be press fit into place or cemented, depending on the quality and strength of the remaining bone.
- The surgeon checks for ease of movement and stability, as well as proper leg length. X-rays are usually taken for sizing and positioning purposes.
- Muscle and soft tissue are repaired, and skin is sutured or stapled together.
- Some patients may receive a wedge pillow to keep between the legs as a preventative for dislocation.
- Patients spend several hours in the recovery room before starting a hospital stay of approximately 2-5 days.
Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement – Arthroplasty
Minimally invasive hip replacement surgery is performed by highly experienced and extensively trained orthopedic surgeons at The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute Ft. Worth. Minimally invasive hip arthroplasty involves a smaller incision and surgical area than a traditional hip replacement surgery with less skin, muscle, and soft tissue being cut. During a minimally invasive hip arthroplasty, the orthopedic surgeon utilizes small specialized instruments to replace the hip joint.
Minimally invasive hip replacement is still considered to be a major surgical procedure since bones are altered in much the same manner as in traditional hip replacement surgery. Because minimally invasive hip arthroplasty is considered to be technically challenging, it is important that an experienced orthopedic surgeon performs the surgery in order to reduce risk and ensure the most successful results.
H3 Candidates for Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Surgery
Minimally invasive hip arthroplasty is not an option for every hip replacement patient due to the severity of hip damage and patient’s medical history.
Disqualifying conditions can include:
- Deformity of the hip joint
- Slow wound healing
- Extremely overweight
- Previous hip surgery
Your orthopedic surgeon will discuss all viable options of hip surgery with you so that the best possible outcome can be achieved.
Advantages of Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Surgery
Minimally invasive hip arthroplasty advantages can include:
- Smaller scar (usually 3-6 inches or two 2-inch scars)
- Less muscle and soft tissue damage
- Shorter hospital stay (1-2 days typically, and in some cases, on an outpatient basis)
- Faster rehabilitation
- Reduced blood loss during procedure
Computer navigation techniques aid in implant orientation and limb alignment resulting in high success rates for minimally invasive hip replacement surgery. Goals, long-term benefits, physical therapy plans, and risk factors are similar to those of traditional total hip replacement surgery.
The professional team at OSMI is highly trained and qualified to evaluate, diagnose, and treat your hip condition by using the least invasive and most effective methods available. If you are experiencing hip pain or are concerned that you may have a hip injury or disorder and would like to schedule an appointment, please submit an online appointment request or contact our office at 817-529-1900.
