Lemak Health Offers Sophisticated Hip Joint Arthroplasty Hip Replacement
Lemak Health is pleased to offer the advanced anterior approach hip replacement to our valued patients in the Alabaster, Birmingham, Gardendale, and Prattville areas. This groundbreaking procedure has a high rate of success and is fast becoming one of the most in-demand hip replacement procedures in the nation.
The Anterior Approach Hip Replacement Procedure in Birmingham AL
According to the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR), the number of patients receiving hip joint arthroplasty (hip joint replacement) has skyrocketed in recent years, with over 300,000 hip joint replacements being performed each year in the US alone.
This has led to rapid advancements in both prosthetics (artificial parts) and surgical techniques, including the anterior approach, which can dramatically improve surgical and recovery outcomes for many patients.
If your hip is severely damaged, a total hip replacement is often the best option to reduce or eliminate pain, restore function, and improve your range of motion. Your hip can be damaged in several ways. The most common causes are degenerative changes caused by a disease such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Accidents, such as such as falls which result in a broken hip, and sports-related injuries are also common causes for a hip replacement. Hip fractures have been linked to chronic damage of the hip caused by osteoarthritis (also known as wear and tear arthritis), which affects as many as 20 million people in the US.
While many people think anterior approach hip replacements are only for older patients, the fact is that orthopedic surgeons are seeing many younger patients too. This is especially true of athletes, many of whom seek out leading surgeons with the advanced training and skills to perform this less invasive, tissue-sparing hip replacement procedure.
The Anterior Approach Hip Replacement
The procedure is called the “anterior approach” because the surgeon approaches the hip from the front of the hip, where there are naturally fewer muscles. Because the anterior approach is minimally invasive, it creates less trauma for the body. Instead of cutting down through layers of muscles and connective tissues, the surgeon makes a small incision, roughly four inches long, at the front of the leg.
The surgeon then carefully separates the muscles to expose the hip joint. The surgeon then works between the muscles, removing the damaged areas and replacing them with sophisticated hip prosthetics, which closely mimics the form and function of the natural hip joint.
Advantages | Faster, Easier Recovery & Lower Risks
Because the surgery creates less surgical trauma, there are fewer stitches. The anterior approach also results in significantly less pain after the hip replacement procedure. It requires less downtime, allowing you to get back to the activities you enjoy much sooner. Most patients find they can bend at the hip, and even place weight on their new prosthetic hip within hours of the procedure. Many patients go home on the same day of the surgery. Patients are often able to return to sedentary work within one to two weeks and resume their normal physical work in as little as one month. Athletes typically return to training and vigorous sports activities in 1-3 months.
The anterior approach to hip replacement also offers other advantages, including a lower risk of hip dislocation (where the ball of the hip slips from the socket), because it does not cause as much disruption to the soft tissues that normally hold the hip in place. The anterior approach can be ideal for younger patients such as athletes, who wish to return to competitive sports as fast as possible.
Benefits of the anterior approach hip replacement can include:
- Shorter hospital stays
- Less pain and overall discomfort
- Faster recovery
Lemak Health is a Leading Provider of the Anterior Approach Hip Replacement in Alabama
Dr. Scott Appell, a highly respected board certified orthopedic surgeon, has decades of surgical experience. Dr. Appell is a recognized expert in the anterior hip approach. He routinely performs the anterior approach procedure at Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama. Moreso in fact, than any other surgeon in the state of Alabama.
Recognized by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr. Appell currently serves as the head of the Advanced Joint Care Program at Grandview Medical Center, a state-of-the-art facility with a brand new Joint Replacement Center in Birmingham, AL.
Lemak Health, the Preeminent Practice for Anterior Approach
If you or a loved one is suffering from debilitating hip pain, or struggle with normal activities due to a hip issue, we can help. At Lemak Health, we understand how to provide superlative care. Our dedicated and caring orthopedic specialists are preeminent providers of the anterior approach hip replacement procedure. If you would like to know more about our exceptional care for hips, please call 205-397-5200, or email us at info@lemakhealth.com. Get the exceptional hip care you need with Lemak Health. Call today for a better tomorrow.