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We love healthy hip joints—their fluid, pain-free movement. So when aching, degenerative arthritis limits our ability to move comfortably and remain active, we start looking at ways to decrease pain and restore function. Total hip joint replacement is a surgical option when initial approaches for managing progressive arthritis have failed.

Orthopedic surgeon Ben Olson, DO, of the Regional Ortho Clinic, says some of the conservative management options he advises his patients to try before exploring any joint replacement surgery include weight loss, activity restriction, physical therapy, bracing, medications or injections. For those patients for whom initial conservative measures have not worked, however, arthroplasty can be an excellent option to restore function and decrease pain, he says. If you are now considering hip joint replacement, consider the less invasive benefits of Dr. Olson’s preferred surgical method: anterior-approach hip arthroplasty.

A better approach
The anterior (or front) approach to hip joint replacement, Dr. Olson says, has multiple postsurgery benefits for the patient over the traditional posterior (back) or lateral (side) approaches.

Dr. Olson explains that the physiology of accessing the hip joint from the front allows him to work between the muscles and tendons, rather than having to surgically detach them and then reattach them, as is done with posterior or lateral approaches.

“This muscle-sparing approach allows for an earlier recovery with improved mobility and pain control in comparison to traditional approaches,” says Dr. Olson. “In addition, there is less risk for joint dislocation postsurgery.”

With the anterior approach, the postsurgery recovery time is also shorter. Dr. Olson’s patients are able to resume their daily routines more quickly.

“Our goal is early ambulation,” Dr. Olson says. “Patients are up walking and working with a physical therapist the day of surgery.” This not only builds the patient’s confidence but also decreases potential for blood clotting.

The road to recovery
Postsurgery rehabilitation during the first six weeks to three months is crucial, Dr. Olson says. “We want our patients to be able to get back to their regular routine as soon as possible.”

Physical therapists from Grande Ronde Hospital’s rehab therapy department work with the surgeon and patient to devise the best rehabilitation plan for the best possible outcome in the shortest amount of time.

The best candidates for joint replacement, Dr. Olson says, are those who are in good health and good physical shape. Surprisingly, age is less of a barrier than one might think.

“I performed arthroplasty on a woman in her 90s who is doing very well,” he says. “She was healthy and in otherwise good physical shape going into the surgery.”

In fact, a patient’s presurgery state of health is so important to a successful surgical outcome that smokers or those whose BMI* is beyond the healthy range may be advised to quit smoking or lose weight before joint replacement surgery is scheduled.

Other examples of health concerns that may put a patient at higher risk for infection or other postsurgery complications include having diabetes with uncontrolled glucose levels or having certain types of skin conditions or an open wound. In cases like these, surgery will be postponed until the health of the patient can be improved.