Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement vs Traditional
Traditional and minimally invasive hip replacements involve removing the hip and inserting prosthesis. Although the procedure is similar, implants are not different. Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement is relatively new. This procedure involves smaller incisions, and less disruption to soft tissue in the area.
For people with conditions such as osteoarthritis and a hip fracture, hip replacement surgery might be the best option. Because hip replacement surgery can be invasive, it is often a last resort option. However, medical advances have allowed for anterior hip replacement surgery to be developed. This is a less invasive option.
Anterior hip replacement surgery and traditional surgery for hip replacement share the same goal: to replace damaged cartilage and bones with an artificial hip. Their approach is different.
Anterior hip replacement surgery
An anterior hip replacement is performed by a surgeon who approaches the hip joint from its front. Although the incision is smaller than traditional hip replacement surgery it is still minimally invasive.
Because it doesn’t involve cutting your muscles, anterior hip replacement surgery requires minimally invasive procedures. The reason that recovery times are longer for traditional hip replacement surgery is because you have to cut your muscles in order to reach the hip bone.
Because it is more common than traditional hip replacement surgery, anterior hip replacement is not as popular as it used to be. Not many surgeons are qualified or trained enough to perform it properly. Although it is easier to view the hip from the side, a skilled surgeon can perform this procedure with minimal risk.
Traditional hip replacement surgery
The traditional hip replacement procedure accesses the hip joint via the back. Because it has been performed for decades, this procedure is more popular and easier to perform. The procedure can cause damage to your muscles, which makes recovery more difficult and more painful. This can lead to poor long-term results.
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Traditional Replacement Hip
To perform a traditional hip replacement:
- The surgeon will make a 10- to 12 inch incision along the side of your hip. After that, the surgeon will split or detach the hip muscles. This allows you to view the hip fully and allow it to be dislocated.
- The surgeon then removes the damaged head from the femur and inserts a stem of metal into the hollow middle. The surgeon places a ceramic or metal ball on the stem’s upper portion. The surgeon places the ball on top of the removed damaged femoral heads.
- The surgeon will remove the damaged cartilage from the socket (acetabulum), and then replace it with a new metal socket. To hold the socket in place, the surgeon might use cement or screws.
- To ensure smooth gliding, the surgeon inserts a spacer made of metal, ceramic or plastic between the new ball and amp;amp; socket.
Minimally Invasive Replacement Hip
Although the goals of minimally invasive total Hip Replacement are the same, the surgeon does not cut as much tissue around the hip. The artificial hip implants are identical to those used in traditional hip replacement. To properly place the implants, special surgical instruments must be used to prepare the socket or femur.
A minimally invasive total hip replacement procedure can be done with just one or two small incisions. Tissue disturbance is less likely with smaller incisions.
Minimally Invasive Surgery – Using a single or multiple incisions
Minimal-incision surgery using either the lateral, posterior or anterolateral approaches
- A single incision is used to replace the hip using minimally invasive techniques. It usually takes 3 to 6 inches. The procedure’s difficulty and the patient’s size will determine the length of the incision.
- The surgeon will make the incision at the hip’s side or back. However, the muscles and tendons may be separated from the hip by the surgeon. This is less common than traditional hip replacement surgery. After the implant is placed, they are usually repaired. This promotes healing and prevents dislocation.
Multiple-incision surgery
- Two small incisions are sometimes used to replace a hip. Two incisions are used to access the pelvis (cup), and the femur, or thighbone (through a separate incision).
- This approach may cause less damage to the underlying tissues than if you only made one incision.
- To ensure the proper placement of implants, surgeons will often use Xray guidance during surgery.
Minimally Invasive Surgery – Based on the incision location
An anterior approach
Altering the site of the incision is another option for minimally invasive surgery. Direct anterior surgery has been popularized in the last decade due to its ability to lessen the damage to the underlying tissue.
- This is where the surgeon incisions on the hip’s front.
- It is possible to reduce the amount of muscle that must be removed and recover faster.
- An anterior approach can often be performed using a special operative table with instruments.
You will be able to go home the same day as traditional hip replacement surgery or stay in hospital for 1 to 3 days.
Rehabilitation is an essential part of your recovery. You will be given specific exercises by your surgeon or physical therapist to increase your range and strength.
Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Pros and Cons
Hip replacement surgery is a common procedure that can be done with minimally invasive techniques. Minimally invasive hip replacement pros include shorter recovery times and faster rehabilitation due to less bone destruction and muscle damage. There are pros and cons to both types of surgery. Benefits of minimally invasive surgery include less blood loss and a smaller scar. When the muscles and other tissues remain mostly intact, healing is typically quicker and pain isn’t as severe and doesn’t last as long after surgery. Cons of a minimally invasive hip replacement may include increased risk of early implant failure.
Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Recovery Time
Recovery time for a minimally invasive hip replacement will depend on the patient’s age, weight and level of physical activity, as well as the surgeon’s experience and training.
It usually takes a total of four weeks recovery for those having minimally–invasive surgery and a total of 8 weeks for those having the traditional operation
Candidates for Minimally Invasive Total hip Replacement
The minimally invasive total hip replacement procedure is not recommended for everyone. Before deciding whether this procedure is right for you, your doctor will perform a thorough evaluation.
Patients who have minimal incisions are generally thinner, healthier, happier, and more willing to take part in rehabilitation than those who have traditional surgery.
Patients who are:
- Are overweight
- Already had other hip operations?
- A significant deformity in the hip joint
- Very muscular
- Are you suffering from health issues that could slow down wound healing?
In Conclusion
The field of minimally invasive, small-incision total hip replacement surgery continues to evolve. To improve the recovery process after surgery, surgeons are constantly improving their techniques and instrumentation. These approaches require special training and further research on the long-term effects.
Minimally invasive hip replacement has been shown to have less impact on soft tissues. This results in a faster, more painless recovery time and a quicker return to normal activities. Evidence suggests that minimally invasive hip replacement has long-term advantages comparable to traditional hip replacement.
Minimally invasive surgery is susceptible to complications, just like any other type of surgery. These complications include:
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Dislocations
- Nerve and artery injury
- Wound healing problems
- Fracture of femur
- Leg length differences
Minimally invasive surgery is similar to traditional hip replacement surgery. However, it should only be performed by an experienced, well-trained orthopaedic surgeon. Talk to your orthopaedic doctor about the risks and benefits of minimally invasive hip surgery and how they can help you.
