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Orthopedics & Joint Replacement:
Hip Replacement Surgery: Anterior Approach

Mercy’s orthopedic surgeons, Thomas V. Whitten, M.D., Joseph John Ciotola, M.D., Marc W. Hungerford, M.D., and Kamala Littleton, M.D., are among a very exclusive group of surgeons nationwide offering anterior approach hip replacement surgery, an innovative, minimally-invasive approach to hip replacement that typically provides a faster recovery, less restrictions, and less pain compared to traditional surgery. Mercy's surgeons perform the most anterior hip surgeries in the State of Maryland.

About Anterior Hip Replacement

Anterior Hip Replacement Post-operative Instructions

View Mercy’s News Coverage and Information about Anterior Hip Replacement

About Anterior Hip Replacement

Anterior approach hip replacement surgery is an advanced surgical technique in which an incision is made in the front of the hip rather than the side or back of the hip, as is done with traditional hip surgery. The anterior approach involves only a 4-5 inch incision, which allows for less disruption to muscles and tissues of the leg, while traditional hip replacement surgery involves a 10-12 inch incision. The anterior approach enables the surgeon to work through the natural interval between muscles without the need to cut the muscle tissue, which typically results in a smoother, faster recovery.

Anterior hip replacement surgery is performed on a custom designed operating table called a hana™ arthroplasty table. Designed exclusively for hip and knee patients, the hana™ table has the capability to minimize trauma to muscles and tissue by allowing for precise placement of the leg not available with conventional tables. One leg is extended downward to allow access to the surgical site in such a way that muscles do not have to be cut. Additionally, the table allows for x-ray imaging during the surgery for precise placement of the implant.

Anterior hip replacement typically reduces the rehabilitation period and allows patients to bend their hip freely and bear full weight when comfortable. Patients generally can return to normal function much faster and are advised after surgery to use their hip normally. Patients go up and down stairs, during supervised therapy, before their hospital release. Other potential benefits of anterior approach hip replacement surgery include less bleeding, less post-operative pain, and smaller scars for improved cosmetics. For more information on recovery, see the post operative instructions for anterior approach hip replacement.

Visit newhipnews.com and jointreplacement.com for additional information on anterior hip replacement.

View Mercy’s News Coverage and Information about Anterior Hip Replacement

• View the orthopedic and joint replacement team of Dr. Whitten, Dr. Ciotola, Dr. Hungerford, and Dr. Littleton, who combined perform the most anterior hip replacements in the state of Maryland. Click here to view the video.
• View WBAL TV 11 news coverage of Olga d'Arnaud Gerkens' surgery. Click here to view the video.

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