Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement

Degenerative arthritis of the hip joint can be very debilitating.  When the articular cartilage that covers the ball and socket of the hip joint begins to deteriorate, pain usually follows.  As the bony surfaces begin to rub together, the pain can become severe.  Unfortunately, there is no way to replace the cartilage once it is gone.  When the symptoms of degenerative arthritis become unbearable, and no longer respond to medications or physical therapy, total joint replacement may become necessary.

The goal of total hip replacement is to restore the patient to a normal lifestyle without pain and disability.  Advances in the technology and materials used in total hip arthroplasty have allowed patients to return to very active lifestyles, including playing golf, tennis, and snow skiing.

Dr. Nixon has been trained in minimally-invasive total hip arthroplasty which utilizes a much smaller skin incision and a less traumatic muscle-splitting approach than traditional hip replacement surgery.  Typically, patients are walking on the day of surgery with a walker, which they will frequently discard after one or two weeks.  Because the technique involves less trauma to the tissues, the rehabilitation after surgery is much more accelerated and less painful.  Patients can usually return to sedentary work and moderate activities within a few weeks.

To learn more about total hip replacement surgery, visit www.zimmerbiomet.com/patients-caregivers/hip.html.