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Hip replacement surgery is the most effective and definitive treatment for those suffering from pain and functional decline resulting from arthritis and other forms of hip joint damage.
Regardless of the “style” or “technique” used, total hip arthroplasty involves surgically exposing the joint and removing the worn-out ball. The joint is then rebuilt with specially designed implants. After recovering from the surgery, the symptoms that were present before surgery will be dramatically improved if not eliminated altogether.
There are several different ways of performing hip replacement surgery. Although each technique has its own “pros” and “cons," total hip replacement regardless of the “approach” will offer the best outcome for those who have failed nonsurgical management.
The Anterior Approach
Using the anterior approach, your surgeon makes a smaller incision on the front of the body to gain access to the joint. The surgical approach goes between muscles rather than through muscles. This approach avoids the dissection of posterior structures. The technique is compatible with additional technologies, allowing accurate and precise positioning of the implants. This approach is useful for both primary (first-time) and revision hip replacement surgery.
The Anterior-Based Muscle-Sparing (ABMS) Approach
Similar to the Anterior approach, the ABMS approach allows access to your hip through the front of your hip. This approach involves a slightly different technique but avoids the dissection of posterior structures. It can be used for primary and revision hip replacements.
The Posterior Approach
The posterior approach involves incision through the muscles in your buttock to reach your hip joint. This is a very common approach with a proven track record of excellent results on both primary and revision hip replacements.
Your surgeon will evaluate which approach best suits your needs to optimize your results.
If you are considering hip replacement surgery, it is essential that you have your surgery performed by a surgeon with specialty training in hip replacement surgery who focuses his or her practice on hip replacement surgery—this is the Total Joint Specialists difference.
Hip replacement surgery results in a net societal savings of $32,948 per patient. That's almost $10 billion from more than 300,000 total hip replacements performed in the United States each year.
Reference: Koenig, L. et al. Estimating the Societal Benefits of THA After Accounting for Work Status and Productivity: A Markov Model Approach. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research 474, 2645–2654 (2016).
Hip replacement surgery is associated with increased driving distances and lower handicaps. Look out, Tiger!
Liem, D., Fabeck, K. V., Poetzl, W., Winkelmann, W. & Gosheger, G. Golf after Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Review of 46 Patients. J. Sport Rehabilitation 15, 205–215 (2006).
Hip replacement surgery results in significant improvements in mental health.
Hanson, T. M. et al. Substantial Improvement in Self-Reported Mental Health Following Total Hip Arthroplasty Occurs Independent of Anesthetic Technique. J. Arthroplast. (2023) doi:10.1016/j.arth.2023.11.011.
At Total Joint Specialists, our compassionate and skilled team works together and with you to understand your needs and help you meet all your goals. To better understand what you can expect when partnering with our team, see our many patient success stories.
At Total Joint Specialists, we make sure you know exactly what you can expect as you prepare for joint surgery. We help you learn how to prepare and understand expected recovery timelines, postoperative care instructions, and an overview of pain management strategies.
With exceptional focus and expertise in advanced hip care, our doctors at Total Joint Specialists spend every day setting the standard in hip replacement. Our team has the knowledge and skill to offer the guidance, support, and care plan that is right for your hip pain and your goals.
Learn more about how our experts at Total Joint Specialists can treat your hip pain by calling (770) 292-6500 or requesting an appointment online now. Our specialty-trained doctors are available for you at convenient offices throughout the region: Acworth, Alpharetta, Braselton, Canton, Crabapple, Cumming, Ellijay, Gainesville, Lawrenceville, Midtown (Atlanta), Sandy Springs, Snellville, and Woodstock, Georgia.
