Hip Replacement
Helping patients return to mobility with an individualized approach to total hip replacement.
Hip replacement can be an effective treatment for patients with advanced hip arthritis who continue to experience pain, stiffness, and loss of function despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment.
The decision to proceed with surgery is based not simply on an X-ray, but on how much hip pain is affecting your mobility, independence, sleep, work, and the activities that are important to you.
An Individualized Surgical Approach
I utilize the direct anterior approach for many primary total hip replacements. With this technique, the hip joint is approached from the front of the body through an interval between muscles, rather than routinely detaching major muscles or tendons to reach the joint.
For appropriately selected patients, potential advantages of the anterior approach may include:
Less early postoperative pain and improved early function
Earlier return to walking and everyday activities
Reduced need for traditional postoperative hip precautions
For other patients, a posterior approach may be the better option, particularly when additional exposure or surgical flexibility is beneficial. Both approaches can provide excellent long-term outcomes when appropriately selected and performed.
The goal is not to use a particular approach—it is to choose the approach that provides the safest and most effective hip replacement for each patient.
Is Hip Replacement Right for Me?
Hip replacement may be considered when hip arthritis causes persistent pain or loss of function that has not responded adequately to reasonable nonsurgical treatment. Common symptoms include groin or thigh pain, stiffness, difficulty walking, trouble putting on shoes and socks, pain getting in and out of a car, and increasing limitations in everyday activities.
Not every patient with arthritis needs surgery. My goal is to understand how your hip is affecting your life, review the treatment options available to you, and help you decide whether—and when—hip replacement is appropriate.
What to Expect
Before Surgery
Your preoperative visit focuses on preparation, medical optimization, education, medications, and answering any remaining questions before surgery.
Day of Surgery
After surgery, the goal is to have you up and walking with assistance in the recovery room. Many patients are able to return home the same day when medically appropriate.
Recovery
Physical therapy and progressive activity begin early after surgery. Most patients return for their first postoperative visit approximately two weeks after surgery, with activity gradually advanced throughout recovery.