According to the CDC, total hip replacements are among the most commonly needed surgical procedures, with 230,000 total hip replacements having been performed in 2007 alone. This number is expected to increase substantially over the next 20 years as the baby boomer generation ages.

The staff of dedicated orthopedic surgeons at University Hospital and Medical Center can perform several types of hip replacements. Due to the acquisition of the HANA™ Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Table, our orthopedic surgery team now has another option when it comes to approaching the hip joint. Dr. Manuel Porth, Chief of Surgery at University Hospital and Medical Center, took some time to explain how this new equipment gives patients yet another option when it comes to hip replacement.

Dr. Porth explained that by using the HANA™ Table, surgeons are able to take the anterior, or front, approach to reaching the hip joint. During a traditional hip replacement, the surgeon would generally approach the hip laterally, or from the side, because of the way a regular surgical table restricts access. “The HANA™ Table is a surgical instrument within itself that that can be used to maneuver the patient’s legs and change the angles at which the surgeon is able to access the hip,” said Dr. Porth. “By accessing the hip joint from the front of the body, the surgeon has to cut through less muscle to access the hip joint. This approach to hip replacement provides multiple benefits for both the surgeon and the patient.”

Benefits of Anterior Hip Replacement

• Patients tend to regain strength much faster after the surgery.
• Recovery time is shortened: most patients only stay in the hospital for a day and a half or two days as opposed to five or more days.
• Patients can ambulate with less assistance sooner.
• Patients have lowered risk of the hip joint (femur bone) being dislocated after surgery.

About the HANA™ Table

The benefit of the HANA™ Table and the anterior approach to the hip joint represents a significant advantage for total hip replacement surgery. Use of the Hana Table offers a less invasive technique which minimizes tissue trauma and muscle detachment while maximizing tissue healing and providing more hip joint stability after surgery. Although the HANA™ Table can be used as a traditional surgical table, its flexibility combined with its mobility allows leg positioning for easier access to the hip joint, making it ideal for multiple procedures.

Keep Your Options Open

Dr. Porth is very excited about the acquisition of the new equipment, which allows the Orthopedic and Spine Center at University Hospital to diversify their treatment options. He does want patients to know that there are still other means of approaching hip replacement besides the anterior approach. “While this treatment option is very effective and comes with an array of benefits, it might not be the best alternative for every patient.” Dr. Porth, his fellow surgeons and the staff of dedicated orthopedic nurses take time to focus on each patient as an individual. They evaluate your overall health and the condition of your body. As good as the treatment option is, Dr. Porth warns that anterior hip replacements are best suited for a patient “whose health and body meet the right set of qualifications.” This approach may be a good option if you meet these criteria:

• You are a healthy weight.
• You have not previously fractured your hip or femur in the past.
• You don’t suffer from a severe osteoporosis or a related condition that affects bone mass.
• You’ve never had your other hip replaced using a different procedure.

Regardless of which hip replacement would best meet your needs, Dr. Porth and the staff at The Orthopedic and Spine Institute can get you back on your feet. The entire staff is focused solely on orthopedic medicine, from the dedicated spine and orthopedic nurses to the surgical staff with decades of combined experience. If you are in the greater Tamarac, Boca Raton or the surrounding area and would like more information on the advanced services offered at University Hospital and Medical Center, please call 1-8666-442-2362 for more information and a free referral.

Sources:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Orthogate

Related Posts:
Physical Therapists: Getting You Back Into the Swing of Things
The Orthopedic and Spine Institute
Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis