Anterior hip replacement — an alternative to traditional surgery

“Depending on the symptoms, we may order an MRI to rule out other conditions. Despite some patients’ fears, it is fairly rare for a tumor to be the source of their headaches,” McLauchlin said. “If you have a headache that switches sides, it is a primary headache. Also, neck problems can give patients the impression that the pain originates from the base of the head.”

Avoiding triggers

Determining the type of headache a patient has is key to developing a treatment strategy. In managing headaches, both Derman and McLauchlin recommend trigger avoidance as the first step.

Common triggers include stress; improper diet; sleep deprivation; cigarette smoke; food additives such as MSG and nitrates; and foods with high levels of tyramine, a substance found naturally in some foods that forms from the breakdown of protein as foods age. Sources of tyramine include aged cheese; smoked, cured or processed meats; alcohol; and some fruits and vegetables.

Keeping a headache diary that tracks foods, medications and activities can be helpful in determining what is triggering a migraine (see page 36).

“Headache sufferers should also look at their lifestyle and sleep patterns; and consider diet modification. You should not arbitrarily remove all possible food triggers from your diet at once but examine them one by one,” Derman said.

To schedule an appointment at the Headache Clinic, call 713.790.3333.

Anterior hip replacement, a new alternative

BY AMI FELKER

Just four weeks after her hip replacement, 72-yearold Joan Frith walks with little pain, no swelling and complete relief from her arthritis.

It’s quite a different story from her previous experience with hip replacement surgery five years ago. She spent time in rehab after her hospital stay, experienced extensive swelling and used a walker for nearly two months.

“I did great with the first hip replacement and had no unexpected problems, but the technology and new procedure available now just cut the recovery in half. I went right home,” Frith said. “I had been dreading the second hip replacement and kept putting it off. But I knew if I didn’t do something I’d be in a wheelchair before the year was out.”

Frith underwent both of her surgeries at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Alain Elbaz. He is one of only a few surgeons in the Houston area to perform anterior hip replacement — an alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery.

“This approach allows me to work between the muscles without detaching them from the hip or thighbones,” Elbaz said. “When these important muscles are left relatively undisturbed, patients can expect to be on their feet much faster, making quicker steps toward recovery.”

Frith, a wife, mother of seven and grandmother to 10, says she feels “wonderful.” She looks forward to enjoying time with her family and helping her husband run their convenience store on a lake in East Texas.

“The arthritis was eating away my bones, and I was in terrible pain,” said Frith, who was restricted to walking with a cane before her hips were replaced. “I can already feel the difference. I would recommend this new procedure to anyone who needs a hip replacement.”

Frith works with a physical therapist, and she said the key to a successful and quick recovery is exercise. She performs approved exercises twice a day, which help improve her mobility.

Dr. Alan Elbaz

Patients who undergo anterior hip replacements can usually walk independently, “ drive and return to their normal activities within a few weeks,” Elbaz says. “Since we do not have to cut muscle, the new modern hardware aligns better with joints and preserves the length of patients’ limbs, making joints last longer and feel more natural.”

Using technologically advanced operating tables and instruments also aid surgeons because they precisely position the hip for surgery. “Today, doctors are focusing on ways to help reduce recovery time and improve comfort after the operation,”

Elbaz said. “Every patient responds differently, but our goal is to cut the three-month recovery time at least in half.”

To schedule an appointment, call 713.790.3333 Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is a 119-bed community hospital with: inpatient and outpatient services surgery center digital cardiac catheterization laboratory birthing center Level II nursery orthopedic unit intensive care unit

intensive medical unit

24 hour emergency room and pastoral care The hospital has continually expanded since its opening to meet the demands of the community. Current expansion plans include increasing to nearly 400 beds.