From the DSN Newswire (Methodist Health System)
A new hip replacement surgery at Methodist Charlton Medical Center revolutionizes recovery time, allowing patients to walk the same day. The anterior approach to hip replacement is a minimally invasive procedure that dramatically shortens hospitalization and rehabilitation times. Methodist Charlton is one of the few hospitals in North Texas offering this new approach.
The procedure allows doctors to approach the hip from the front, rather than from the side (lateral) or back (posterior) of the joint. Muscles do not have to be cut and sewn back with the new anterior approach, causing less trauma to the tissues. The result is a much faster return to normal activities. In most patients, the hospital stay ranges from 2 to 4 days, as opposed to the 5 to 7 days with traditional surgery.
Most patients experience significantly less postoperative pain, and the patient may walk immediately. Many patients discontinue using a walker or cane in as few as 10-14 days. Physical therapy is rarely needed and rehabilitation is faster—two to four versus six to 12 weeks with conventional hip replacement.
“The patient’s ability to walk sooner after surgery, instead of spending time in a wheelchair where their muscles can waste away or shrink, is a real boost to their recovery process,” says Joseph Tejan, MD, an independently practicing orthopedic surgeon on the medical staff at Methodist Charlton trained in this new approach to total hip replacement. “The faster they can get back on their feet, the faster their recovery will be.” Methodist Charlton Medical Center purchased a special operative table to support the new procedure that allows a smaller incision and much less traumatic surgery for hip replacements.
Methodist Health System offers complete care for patients needing surgery to replace painful hip or knee joints damaged by injury, deformity, or degenerative diseases such as arthritis. The Methodist Joint Academy helps prepare patients to achieve the best possible surgical outcome, a speedy recovery, and a faster return to normal daily activities.
In the Academy, patients receive a two-hour course from caring, expert Methodist staff members who give them a preview and overview of what to expect – step-by-step – before, during, and after surgery.
For more information on the anterior approach procedure at Methodist Charlton, call 214-947-0044 or 1-866-584-8104, or visit www.methodisthealthsystem.org/anteriorapproach.
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