Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement

Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement

What is Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement?

Minimally invasive total hip replacement is a surgical procedure performed through one or two small incisions rather than the single long incision of 10–12-inches as in the traditional approach.

What is the Hip Anatomy?

The hip joint is one of the body's largest weight-bearing joints and is the point where the thighbone (femur) and pelvis (acetabulum) join. It is a ball-and-socket joint in which the head of the femur forms the ball and the pelvic acetabulum forms the socket. The joint surface is covered by a smooth articular cartilage that cushions and enables smooth movement of the joint. 

What is Hip Arthritis?

Hip arthritis is a painful and common disease of the hip joint caused by damage to the cartilage. Total hip replacement surgery is an option to relieve severe arthritis pain that limits your daily activities.

What is the Procedure Involved in a Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement?

Surgery may be recommended in patients with severe cartilage damage and if conservative treatment options such as anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy do not relieve the symptoms.

For minimally invasive hip replacement, the surgical technique and artificial implants remain the same as traditional hip replacement; the difference is the use of smaller incisions to perform the surgery and minimal soft tissue dissection. The surgery is performed through either one or two small incisions, under general anaesthesia. 

In a single incision minimally invasive approach, your surgeon makes a 3-6-inch incision over the side of your hip to expose the hip joint. The muscles are minimally dissected to reach the joint. The femur is dislocated from the acetabulum. The surface of the socket is cleaned and the arthritic bone is removed using a reamer. The acetabular implant is inserted into the socket using screws or special cement. A liner material of plastic, ceramic or metal is placed inside the acetabular component. 

The femur or thigh bone is then prepared by removing the arthritic bone using special instruments and shaped to exactly fit the new metal femoral component. The femoral stem is then inserted into the femur either by a press fit or using bone cement. Then, the femoral head component made of metal or ceramic is placed on the femoral stem. The new joint is realigned. All the new parts are secured in place using special cement. The muscles and tendons around the new joint are repaired and the incision is closed. 

If your surgeon uses the two-incision technique, a 2-3-inch incision is made over the groin for the placement of the socket and a 1-2-inch incision is made over the buttock for placement of the femoral stem. This technique requires a longer operative time and is performed under X-ray guidance. The rest of the procedure is the same as the single incision procedure.

What are the Advantages of Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement?

The advantages of minimally invasive total hip replacement as compared with traditional total hip replacement may include:

• Smaller incisions
• Lesser muscle dissection
• Minimal postoperative pain
• Shorter hospital stay
• Less trauma to the surrounding tissues
• Quicker recovery
• Less blood loss
• Less scarring
• Faster rehabilitation

What Happens After a Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement?

Minimally invasive total hip replacement surgery offers significant benefits over traditional methods, particularly regarding post-operative recovery and activity levels. One of the key advantages is that the traditional restrictions on activities, which were typically imposed to prevent dislocation of the new hip joint, are no longer required though reasonable precautions should be maintained for the first six weeks. Patients are encouraged to resume full activity as soon as possible, limited only by what their hip finds comfortable. This approach promotes a quicker return to normal life and enhances the overall rehabilitation process by allowing patients to engage in natural movements and activities that help strengthen the hip and improve mobility.

What are the Risks and Complications of Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement?

As with any major surgical procedure, there are certain potential risks and complications involved with total hip replacement surgery. They include: 

• Infection
• Injury to neighbouring nerves and blood vessels
• Formation of blood clots in the leg veins
• Implant malposition
• Fracture of the femur or pelvis

If you would like to have additional information on the treatment of hip arthritis or would like to learn more about minimally invasive total hip replacement, please contact Mr Aslam, serving the communities of Worcestershire.