“With minimally invasive direct superior hip replacement, we do not have to cut the two muscles traditionally cut during hip replacement,” says Brian Vannozzi, MD, a board certified orthopaedic surgeon on the Medical Staff of Penn Medicine Princeton Health. “This minimizes the trauma to the hip during surgery and makes the joint significantly more stable after surgery. It generally eliminates the typical precautions placed on patients after surgery.”
In fact, most patients can walk over 300 feet (the length of a football field) within a few hours after the surgery, which typically takes under an hour to complete.
“Most people are able to go home in less than 24 hours, and many go home the same day,” says Dr. Vannozzi. “They are not restricted when it comes to sleeping on either side, crossing their legs, bending, etc., which typically are restrictions for up to eight weeks after a traditional hip replacement.”
Taking a Step in the Right Direction
Direct superior hip replacement is an option for anyone in need of a hip replacement, and along with the use of new materials called dual mobility components, which dramatically increase the stability of the new joints, can make a world of difference for patients.
“Understandably, people are anxious about the idea of a hip replacement,” says Dr. Vannozzi, “but these advances make the process so much easier on the patient. It is also important to recognize that waiting too long to undergo the procedure can compromise the outcome. If the ligaments, soft tissue, and muscles around the hip have stiffened, it can take a little longer and more work to get back to 100%. But overwhelmingly, hip replacement is extremely successful for patients when the time is right and done with the newest techniques and technologies.”
Signs You May Need a Hip Replacement |
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To find an orthopaedic surgeon affiliated with Penn Medicine Princeton Health, call 1.888.742.7496, or visit www.princetonhcs.org/directory.