With osteoarthritis on the rise, hip replacements have become increasingly common, especially as the population ages. There are several options for hip replacement surgery that cater to different types of patient needs and conditions.
One of the most well received options in hip replacement today is the direct anterior approach which has evolved over the past twenty years. This newer minimally invasive technique is in high demand, with higher patient satisfaction rates and quality of life outcomes.1
What is direct anterior hip replacement?
The direct anterior approach to hip replacement differs from traditional hip replacement in that the surgeon operates from the front of the hip rather than the side. This technique allows the surgeon to work between muscles, avoiding the need to detach or cut major muscles, tendons, or ligaments, resulting in less tissue damage.
What are the advantages of direct anterior hip replacement?
Because the anterior approach accesses the hip joint without detaching muscles from the pelvis or femur, it can lead to faster recovery times, less muscle damage, reduced postoperative pain, and fewer movement restrictions compared to other surgical approaches.2
The anterior approach coupled with robotic technology can offer even more benefits to patients.
With the use of Mako robotics, your surgeon can perform the anterior approach with greater precision and planning. The use of robotics makes the surgery more accurate, ensuring better implant alignment. The robotic anterior hip replacement offers patients a quicker recovery with improved outcomes.3
Today's advancements in hip replacement surgery have redefined the experience compared to past generations. For healthy, eligible patients, there's even the option of same-day hip replacement, providing the opportunity to recover in the comfort of your own home. The direct anterior hip replacement technique with robotic assistance represents a remarkable shift in orthopedic surgery, providing better options and results for patients.
AUTHOR: Charles Claps, DO is a board-certified fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in robotic assisted joint replacement surgery at Resurgens Orthopaedics in Atlanta. Dr. Claps is an industry leader in Mako Robotic Assisted Hip and Knee replacement across Georgia, and an active member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics.