Invasive Hip Replacement: A Modern Day Technique

Minimally invasive hip replacement surgery is a new technique that has been developed in recent times. The aim of this procedure is to shorten the recovery process and make rehabilitation easier for the patient. Due to this the surgery is often performed on younger patients who have a better chance of getting back to an active life soon.

In the more traditional method of hip replacement, a single large incision is made on one side of the hip. Through this the hip joint is exposed and the damaged portion extracted. New artificial implants are then put into place and the incision closed. This is a major surgical procedure and hence the body takes time to recover. Not only must the surgical wound heal but the tissues in the body also need to adjust to the new implant.

Minimally invasive hip replacement does exactly what its name suggests: the incisions made are very small and the body is not disrupted more than is absolutely necessary. In place of one large incision, usually one or two small cuts are made and the hip joint is not fully exposed throughout the operation. As there is minimum damage to the soft tissue, the body is able to recuperate faster. Further there is less bleeding and also less pain in the post operative period.

Minimally invasive hip replacement can be performed through either one or two incisions. In the one incision method, the cut is positioned carefully so that only a small portion of skin and muscle suffers trauma. However it was difficult to prepare the leg bone for the implant through this incision as the hip joint was not exposed much. To overcome this difficulty the two incision method was developed. The first incision is used to prepare the hip joint and insert the socket. The second is for preparing the thigh bone and implanting the ball component. During this type of surgery a single muscle structure is cut and soft tissues like ligaments and tendons as well as the deep sheet tissue surrounding the muscle are left intact. These are pushed aside to facilitate the surgery but not damaged.

The decision to use minimally invasive surgery over the more tried and tested traditional method is completely at the discretion of the surgeon. Every person responds differently and so the doctor has to take a decision based on facts like how active the patient is, age, weight, lifestyle issues and general health.

Minimally invasive hip replacements have been successful in the initial stages. Most patients have a very short stay in hospital and begin the rehabilitation process soon after surgery. However the procedure is still quite new and has to yet stand up to the test of time. The probability of complications like hip dislocation and hip loosening are expected to be less with minimally invasive hip replacement but not enough time has passed for this to be conclusive.The method is still being perfected and studies being undertaken to find out if it lives up to its promise.