Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement using the Anterior Approach
St. Joseph Hospital is the first and only hospital in Nashua that now offers the anterior approach for hip replacement surgery. The anterior approach can result in less scarring, shorter recovery time and fewer restrictions post-surgery than the traditional approach. The procedure uses a specially designed hip positioning table called the hana® table.
Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. John Lynn from the New Hampshire Orthopaedic Center is currently the only surgeon performing anterior approach hip replacements in Nashua.
"Patients are thankful to get back to their lives faster and are excited to have this choice right in their community." stated Dr. Lynn.
Additional Orthopedic specialists from the New Hampshire Orthopaedic Center and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Nashua are also currently training to perform this new joint replacement technique.
The Anterior Approach for total hip replacement is a tissue-sparing alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery that provides the potential for less pain, faster recovery and improved mobility because the muscle tissues are spared during the surgical procedure. The technique allows the surgeon to work between the muscles and tissues without detaching them from either the hip or thighbones, helping to spare the tissue from trauma.
Keeping the muscles intact may also help to prevent dislocations. With the Anterior Approach, the surgeon uses one small incision on the front (anterior) of the hip as opposed to the side or back. Since the incision is in front, patients can avoid the pain of sitting on the incision site.
The Anterior Approach procedure for total hip replacement has been gaining popularity recently due to its potential benefits including possible accelerated recovery time, fewer restrictions during recovery, potential for the implant to be more stable and possible reduced scarring. The Anterior Approach can help larger, heavier patients to become candidates for minimally invasive hip surgery. The Anterior Approach enters the body closer to the hip joint, with far less tissue between the skin and the bones of the hip, so more patients may be candidates.
If you are thinking about a total hip replacement please contact your primary care provider to discuss your options.