Total hip replacement is advised by doctor when both acetabulum (cup of hip joint) and femoral head (Ball of hip joint) are damaged and there articular surfaces are no longer smooth. Common disease where total hip replacement is needed includes Avascular necrosis of femoral head, rheumatoid arthritis, acetabulum fracture, femoral neck and head fracture, arthritis etc.
Direct Anterior Approach (DAA)
The Direct Anterior Approach is a modern, minimally invasive technique for (THR) total hip replacement surgery. This method provides direct access to the front of the hip, offering advantages like quicker recovery, fewer hip precaution and a reduced risk of implant dislocation. Orthopedic surgeons widely adopt DAA for its benefites over traditional hip replacement approaches.
Regular Approach :
- Involves a posterior or lateral incision.
- Accesses the hip joint from the side or back.
- Requires cutting through muscles and tendons.
- Postoperative precautions needed to avoid dislocation.
- Longer recovery period.
Anterior Approach :
- Utilizes a front-facing incision on the thigh.
- Direct access to the hip joint without cutting major muscles.
- Preserves important hip structures.
- Reduced risk of dislocation, allowing for fewer postoprative precaution.
- Geneally associated with a quicker recovery.
Process for Direct Anterior Approach
This approach provides direct access to the front of the hip. Surgeons like it for fixing hip fractures. It's versatile and can handle periprosthetic fracture too.
- A 8 cm cut is made over the outer thigh muscle
- Cut through the skin and deep fascia. Protect nerves. Open hip joint capsule. A T-shaped cut exposes the hip bones.
- Layered closure after cleaning. Stitch the hip capsule, fix the thigh muscle cut and seal up the fascia. A drain may be used and the wound gets a sterile dressing.
Hip Replacement
Hip replacement surgery becomes a viable option for individuals facing various conditions that affectthe hip joint. This includes :
- Osteoarthritis : A common reason for hip replacement, osteoarthritisleads to the degeneration of joint cartilage, causing pain and limitedmobility.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis : An inflammatory condition affecting thejoints, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to hip joint damage.
- Femoral Fractures : Fractures in the hip region, especially thefemoral neck, may necessitate hip replacement to restore function.
- Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome (FAI) : Structuralabnormalities in the hip joint can lead to friction and pain, oftenrequiring surgical intervention.
- Avascular Necrosis : Insufficient blood supply to the hip joint canresult in bone death, necessitating hip replacement to alleviate pain.
