What is a muscle-sparing hip replacement?
Muscle and tissue surround and support the hip joint. During hip replacement, Dr. Chandrasekaran has to get past that muscle and soft tissue to access the bones of the joint – either from the side, the back, or the front of your body. There are hip replacement techniques with smaller incisions, designed to minimize the impact on those tissues and muscles.
These kinds of surgeries are often referred to as muscle sparing or minimally invasive. Take a look at how these two muscle-sparing approaches to surgery compare to each other, and to standard surgery. Then, talk to Dr. Chandrasekaran to see if any of these approaches are right for you.
Direct Superior Approach
A smaller incision at the upper side of the hip helps Dr. Chandrasekaran avoid cutting (and then reattaching) the key muscle group that enables you to walk and bend. That muscle group includes the IT band (or Iliotibial band) and the external rotators that connect your pelvis to your knee. Avoiding injury to that group of muscles and ligaments may potentially mean better hip stability and recovery.
Direct Anterior Approach
A smaller incision at the front of the hip leaves all of the muscle in tact. Dr. Chandrasekaran pushes the soft tissue aside to access the hip joint and perform the joint replacement, rather than detaching any tendons or muscle. This has the potential to make a difference both during surgery and in recovery.
Compare surgeries?
Below are some general considerations and potential benefits of hip replacement surgery using the traditional, direct superior and direct anterior approaches. However, individual results may vary and not all patients will have the same outcomes and experiences.
Traditional
Surgical considerations
- 10-12 inch incision
- Incision along the side or along the back of the hip
- Disturbs muscle and tendons
- Longer scar
Typical precautions
- Take your time to recover
- Avoid crossing your legs. Avoid bending your hip more than 90 degrees. Avoid turning your feet too far in or out. Sleep with a pillow between your legs.
Direct Superior Approach
Surgical considerations
- 3-6 inch incision
- Incision higher at side of the hip
- Avoid cutting IT band
Potential benefits
- Minimizes impact on muscle and tendons
- Smaller scar
- Walk on the same day of surgery under Dr. Chandrasekaran’s team’s supervision
- Enhanced hip stability and recovery after surgery
Direct Anterior Approach
Surgical considerations
- 3-4 inch incision
- Incision at the front of the hip
Potential benefits
- Minimizes soft tissue impact resulting in positive functional outcomes
- Smaller scar
- Walk on the same day of surgery under Dr. Chandrasekaran’s team’s supervision
- No hip-dislocation movement precautions after surgery