News and Updates on Health Related Issues Specifically on Hip Implant Recall

 

Minimally Invasive Procedure for Hip Replacement

Posted by Haley Johnson Johnson on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 Under: Health
Hip replacement and other procedures are currently being performed using the minimally invasive approach, health experts say, although the risks and benefits of using such technique are still being reviewed. Orthopedic surgeons are now able to make one or two small incisions when performing a hip replacement surgery using the minimally invasive technique, according to the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS). This may show that there is less blood loss and better recovery rate for patients but orthopedic specialists are always evaluating the technique to ensure that the procedure is safe. Traditional hip replacement procedure is still performed by most orthopedic specialists.



The technique used in performing minimally invasive hip replacement surgery is not entirely new but there are some improvements since it was first used. This technique offers many benefits, hence, many patients ask their surgeons about it. If it will be used on wider demographics, then improvements are needed to be accomplished. The limitations of the technique only allow it to be used among healthy, thin and younger individuals. If deemed unqualified, patients who are unqualified may still have the operation using the traditional approach. The risks and benefits are then informed to those who qualify.


The procedure itself is not different from the traditional, although it does avoid slicing through the muscles. The surgeon navigates around the hip muscle instead of cutting through it. Surgeons may use specialized instruments that may help in making the small incisions of about three to six inches long. It allows patients to recover faster because of the smaller incision wound, less traumatized muscles and lesser blood loss. One or two days after the surgery, the patient may be able to get out of the hospital. In about four weeks, the patients may be able to fully recover from the operation and return to their normal activities.


Researchers have found that the method may have more complications than the traditional approach, according to the MedlinePlus. There are still many areas that need to be improved in this technique. Patients also need to choose a surgeon who has enough experience in performing this kind of surgical procedure. The recent hip replacement recall has triggered talks on the dangers of hip implants but patients are assured that not all types of metal hip implants are going to fail.


URL References:
nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007498.htm
orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00404
orthop.washington.edu/?q=patient-care/articles/hip/minimally-invasive-total-hip-replacement-surgery.html

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