Small Incision Total Hip Replacement Surgery

This January, orthopedic surgeons at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital will demonstrate a surgical technique that may be quicker, better and safer--when it comes to having a hip replaced.

Less invasive total hip replacement surgery in 35 to 45 minutes will be demonstrated on the Internet during a January 15 Webcast from the operating rooms at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia. This will be the fourth procedure to be broadcast on the Internet by Jefferson in the last year.

In recent years, less invasive hip replacement surgery, using a four to six-inch incision, depending on the size of the patient, has become our standard for performing hip replacements and has been well received by patients, said nationally-recognized orthopedic surgeon Richard Rothman, M.D., Ph.D., James Edwards Professor and chair, Orthopedic Surgery, Jefferson Medical College (JMC) of Thomas Jefferson University.

"The procedure, as performed at Jefferson, may reduce the risk of infection for patients because of our team's experience," said Dr. Rothman. The surgery takes less time than those done at many other medical centers so the incision is open for a shorter period.

"In addition, depending on the individual patient, our procedure may also result in a shorter hospital stay, less blood loss, less post-operative pain and easier rehabilitation for the patient," said William Hozack, M.D., professor of Orthopedic Surgery, JMC, who will be performing the limited incision hip replacement operation during the Webcast with Dr. Rothman.

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, hip replacement surgery used to be an option primarily for people over 60 years of age. Now surgeons are finding that the surgery is very successful in even younger people.

“When you have a ‘bad hip,’ you have trouble walking, standing. Gradually, your whole world shrinks,” said Dr. Rothman, director of the Rothman Institute at Jefferson. “For most patients, hip replacement surgery provides a prompt relief of pain. Within a day or two, you have less pain than before the operation.”

Reasons for needing a hip replacement include osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that causes the breakdown of joint cartilage and adjacent bone in the hips, rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in the lining of the joints and/or other internal organs) and traumatic arthritis (arthritis due to injury of the articular cartilage of the hip).

"Jefferson Hospital surgeons feel that less invasive single incision total hip replacement surgery is also safer than the mini hip technique currently being advertised to patients in newspapers and on television," said Dr. Hozack, director, Joint Replacement Service, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. "It is generally agreed among hip replacement specialists that the smallest incision surgery is technically more difficult and should not be used in situations where the surgeon does not perform hip replacement on a frequent basis."

U.S.News & World Report has ranked Thomas Jefferson University Hospital as the best hospital in Philadelphia and among the top 50 hospitals in the nation for orthopedics. U.S.News also ranked Jefferson as among the top five hospitals nationwide with the largest volume of orthopedic procedures.

In comparison to other medical centers around the nation with leading orthopedic programs, a high volume of hip replacement procedures is performed at Jefferson Hospital-- a total of 1,500 annually. As a result, Jefferson Hospital has one of the shortest lengths of stay and lowest complication and readmission rates for the procedure.

During hip replacement surgery, the orthopedic surgeon makes an incision along the joint, moves aside muscles and removes damaged bone and cartilage. The remaining bone is prepared to receive the prosthesis and the new plastic and metal joint is placed in position. The technique developed by Jefferson surgeons over the past 15 years involves fixation of the prosthesis to bone without the use of cement. The incision is closed with stitches or staples, which will be removed in about two weeks.

For more than a quarter of a century, Dr. Rothman has dedicated his career to research, teaching and surgery. He has also worked toward realizing his vision of an institute, dedicated to the treatment of skeletal diseases that is performing among the largest number of joint replacements in the city and nation. Dr. Rothman is regularly listed by national publications as one of the premier orthopedic surgeons, as well as one of the best doctors in the country. He has received numerous awards for his research contributions to the study of orthopedics, including FDA approved studies on hip replacements and arthritis of the hip. Dr. Rothman has also published extensively on his findings, and has 13 textbooks and more than 200 original research papers to his credit.

Dr. Hozack has specialized in hip and knee replacement surgery over the past 15 years. He is currently focusing his efforts on improving the longevity of joint replacement, especially in active, healthy people. He is also developing and improving techniques of limited incision hip and knee replacement as well as the use of computer assisted surgery of the hip and knee.

The Webcast is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 credit. Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, as a member of the Consortium for Academic Continuing Medical Education, is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Also see; minimally invasive hip surgery.

About The Author:

Richard Rothman is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.hip-replacement-care.com. Information on hip replacement; the cause, diagnosis, symptoms, surgery and treatment for recovery and rebuilding your body.