Newer approach to hip replacement speeds recovery time

“Traditional hip replacement usually means weeks of activity restrictions to prevent joint dislocation, three to six months of discomfort while muscles heal and, sometimes, a stay in a nursing home or rehab facility,” said orthopedic surgeon Gerry Trinidad, M.D.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

A newer approach to hip replacement, called direct anterior approach, or DAA, is making it possible for patients to get out of bed within hours of surgery, go home in 24 to 48 hours and get back to their normal lives in a matter of days.

In DAA, the surgeon approaches the hip joint from the anterior (front) of the body, spreading muscle tissue rather than cutting it. As a result, there is less trauma and blood loss, shorter healing times, less pain and few or no restrictions on physical activity following surgery, Trinidad noted.

“It’s important for people to know that hip replacement, no matter the approach, is not the first thing that you do to treat hip problems,” Trinidad said. He favors a step-by-step, conservative approach with includes rest, activity modification, weight management, physical therapy/exercise, non-steroidal anti inflammatories, steroidal injections and canes/walkers.

Typically patients will choose a hip replacement only after trying conservative approaches first.

“It really comes down to the patient saying they no longer have a quality of life. They can’t sleep because of the pain and they can’t do the things they want because of it,” Trinidad noted.

For more information about direct anterior hip replacement, contact Dr. Trinidad’s office at (740) 351-0980 in Portsmouth. A physician referral is not required.