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Anterior Hip Replacement Surgeon in San Diego, La Jolla, East County, CA

Medical conditions such as arthritis can damage or wear out the articular cartilage covering the hip joint surface and cause inflammation and severe pain in the hip. The condition can be treated by replacing the hip joint through surgery. Joseph Mitchell, M.D. provides expert diagnosis and treatments for hip arthritis including anterior hip replacement surgery in San Diego, La Jolla, East County, CA. Joseph Mitchell, M.D. also provides highly specialized care during and after the surgery. Contact Joseph Mitchell, M.D.’s team for an appointment today!

What is Direct Anterior Approach Hip Replacement Surgery?

Direct anterior hip replacement is a minimally invasive surgery to replace the hip. This is completed without cutting through muscles or tendons, unlike traditional (posterior) hip replacement.

Anterior Hip Replacement Procedure

Anterior hip replacement may be performed under general or spinal anesthesia. A special operating table is utilized along with fluoroscopic (xray) imaging. This allows the surgeon to ensure the accuracy of component positioning and to minimize leg length inequality.

A roughly 4 inch long incision is made along the front of the hip and the muscles are pushed aside to gain access to the hip joint. Next, the femur is separated from the acetabular socket. The acetabular surface is prepared using a special instrument called a reamer. The titanium acetabular component and a liner made of plastic is then placed into the socket.

The femoral component is then inserted into the canal of the femur either by press fit or using bone cement. The femoral head component made of metal or ceramic is then placed onto the femoral stem. The hip capsule (lining) is then repaired, and the incision is closed.

Risks and Complications of Anterior Hip Replacement

All surgeries carry an element of risk, whether it is related to the anesthesia or the procedure itself. Risks and complications with anterior hip replacement are rare, but may include:

  • Infection at the incision site or joint space
  • Fracture
  • Nerve damage (typically numbness)
  • Excess bleeding
  • Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot)
  • Leg length inequality

Advantages of Anterior Hip Replacement

The advantages of anterior hip replacement include:

  • Smaller incisions
  • Short hospital stay
  • Minimal soft-tissue trauma
  • Quicker recovery
  • Less postoperative restrictions
  • Lower risk of dislocation

If you would like to have additional information on the treatment of hip arthritis or would like to learn more about anterior hip replacement surgery, please contact Joseph Mitchell, M.D., serving the communities of San Diego, La Jolla, East County, CA.