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Mercy orthpedic surgeon Dr. Kamala Littleton addresses the anterior approach to hip replacement surgery at Overlea Personal Physicians on Dec. 10th.

Mercy Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Kamala Littleton Discusses Anterior Hip Replacement Surgery At Overlea Personal Physicians On Wednesday, Dec. 10th, 2008

OVERLEA, MD — Kamala Littleton, M.D., Mercy Medical Center orthopedic surgeon, will address anterior hip replacement surgery on Wed., Dec. 10th at 5:30 p.m. at Overlea Personal Physicians, 7602 Belair Road. For information and registration, call 410-539-2227. Dr. Littleton is Director of The Orthopedic Program for Women at The Orthopedic Surgical Hospital at Mercy. Board certified in orthopedic surgery, Dr. Littleton received her medical degree from the Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1994, completing her orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Maryland Medical System. With numerous medical publications and presentations to her credit, Dr. Littleton has special interests in arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery, knee and hip replacement, and orthopedic issues specific to women.

The 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. While traditional hip replacement surgery is performed by making a 10-12 inch incision, minimally invasive hip replacement involves smaller incisions and allows for less disruption to muscles and tissues of the leg. There are several approaches to minimally invasive hip replacement. The anterior approach involves only a 4-5 inch incision and allows the surgeon to work through the natural interval between muscles. No muscle tissue is cut, which typically results in a smoother, faster recovery.

The surgery is performed on a custom designed operating table, called a hana™ arthroplasty table * (pictured on Mercy website homepage). 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.

Recovery from traditional hip surgery can be difficult. The large incision, which disrupts the muscles and tissues of the leg, needs time to heal and the rehabilitation period in which hip motion must be limited can last for 6 to 8 weeks. Patients must follow strict precautions including limiting hip flexion to no more than 60 to 90 degrees. This can complicate normal activities like sitting in a chair, putting on shoes, getting into a car and even climbing stairs.

Anterior hip replacement can drastically reduce the rehabilitation period and allows patients to immediately bend their hip freely and bear full weight when comfortable. Patients can return to normal function much faster and are advised after surgery to use their hip normally without restrictions. Patients can even 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.