Hip replacement surgery offers shorter recovery time, less pain

When thinking about hip replacement surgery, words like “painful” and “long recovery” come to mind … but certainly not “It’s not so bad.”

“It’s not so bad” is the way 70-year-old Vivian Dabkowski describes her hip replacement surgery using a little-known method that is increasing in popularity called anterior-approach hip replacement.

Dabkowski was living with severe arthritis in both hips. She had one hip replaced using the traditional procedure in March 2007 and endured a painful, eight-week recovery. Her other hip was replaced in December 2007 by the anterior approach at Norton Audubon Hospital.

“The procedure differs from the conventional method in that the incision is made to the front rather than the back of the thigh. This means muscles do not have to be detached, improving recovery time and comfort,” said Jonathan Yerasimides, M.D., orthopaedic surgery, among only a small number of surgeons performing anterior-approach hip replacement nationwide.

“An artificial hip depends on the muscles around it for stability,” Dr. Yerasimides said. “With the anterior approach, all muscles are left intact, giving immediate stability to the hip after surgery. Traditional hip replacement requires a period of strict precautions after surgery to ensure the artificial hip will not dislocate.”

These precautions include limits on hip movement requiring patients to use elevated toilet seats and chairs and avoid crossing legs or tying shoelaces. With the anterior approach, patients have none of these restrictions. Patients can bend, twist or cross their legs in any position that is comfortable.

Leaving the muscles intact also accelerates rehabilitation and decreases the hospital stay post-surgery, according to Dr. Yerasimides.

“I came home from the hospital on Friday, and by Monday I was doing all my usual household chores, even going up and down stairs,” Dabkowski said. “I felt wonderful!”

Dabkowski now calls herself a crusader for the anterior-approach procedure. “If for some reason I needed this surgery again, I could do it – it’s not so bad!”

–Jennifer Stewart

Want to know more?
Norton Healthcare’s physician referral service can help you find an orthopaedist who’s right for you. Call (502) 629-1234.

How you can help
Support orthopaedic advancements by donating to the Orthopaedic Clinical Care, Education and Research Fund, which honors Wayne Kotcamp, M.D., who helped advance orthopaedic surgery in our community. Donate now.

Keeping bones and joints healthy

Norton Orthopaedic Care  provides comprehensive services to treat orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions, including fractures, injuries, bone and joint diseases, joint replacement, bone tumors and more. Norton Orthopaedic Care includes Louisville Arm & Hand, Norton Rehabilitation Physicians, Norton Leatherman Spine Center, Norton Ortho Trauma Care and Children’s Orthopaedics of Louisville.

For more information on Norton Orthopaedic Care services, call (502) 629-1234.