H E A LT H
HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY –
the facts
6-8cm. The approach follows natural tissue planes, preserving all muscles surrounding the hip joint. These muscles are essential for
If non-operative measures haven’t worked, a hip replacement can be a good option to improve your pain, mobility and quality of life.
early recovery and long-term hip
O
allowing you to move freely.
function. Your new hip prosthesis will help you resume activities that were previously impossible,
steoarthritis of the
(hardened plastic). When a
hip develops due to
ceramic head is joined with
elective surgical procedures, such
the degeneration of
the socket, the new hip allows
as hip, knee and ankle surgery,
the cartilage lining the hip
for smooth, nearly frictionless
because of fears of transmitting
joint, explains Dr Jan Joubert,
movement.”
the virus during the peak of
a consultant orthopaedic
A minimally invasive approach
“Many patients have postponed
the COVID-19 pandemic,” says
surgeon at Mediclinic
to the hip joint can be done with
Dr van Huyssteen. “Now that
Panorama and Mediclinic
anterior or posterior approaches.
we are comfortable the peak
Winelands Orthopaedic Hospital.
With these techniques, a small
is behind us, there is no need
“This leads to pain in the
incision limits blood loss and
to delay medical care that can
back, buttock, groin and thigh –
pain, which means a shorter
significantly improve your quality
spreading to the knee. In advanced
hospital stay and recovery time.
of life. Mediclinic has stringent
osteoarthritis of the hip, the
Dr Joubert explains that the AMIS
measures in place to ensure your
hip becomes stiff, resulting in
incision is done at the front of the
safety – and we can proceed with
impairment of activity and loss of
hip, rather than the side or back.
elective surgeries as needed.”
mobility. This can be effectively
The technique is performed
treated by total hip replacement
through an anterior incision of
This article was first published on www. mediclinicinfohub.co.za on 30 September 2020.
surgery, and the good news is that anterior minimally invasive (AMIS) technique will make your hip replacement less painful, and your recovery much easier.” Dr Adriaan van Huyssteen, a consultant orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon at Mediclinic Panorama, adds that in total hip replacement surgery, the painful parts of the damaged hip are replaced with a prosthesis. “The modern hip replacement prosthesis consists of uncemented titanium components: a socket, head and stem. The outer shell of the socket is usually made of metal and the inner shell consists of cross-linked polyethyline WWW.SILVER DIGEST.CO.ZA
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