The principle behind the “Anterior Approach” hip replacement procedure is simple. Instead of cutting through muscle in the rear of the hip (posterior) to reach the joint, the surgeon goes between the muscles in front of the hip (anterior) to replace the damaged joint. Because no muscles are cut, the patients typically recover faster, and may have fewer complications. Many patients are able to stand up on the same day they have their surgery.
Joseph T. Moskal, M.D., Carilion’s Section Chief for Orthopaedics, has personally performed more than 1000 Anterior Approach hip procedures. According to the New York Times, which recently interviewed Dr. Moskal and one of his patients about the procedure, 20 percent of surgeons now use the Anterior Approach. The procedure’s popularity is also beginning to spreading overseas. Earlier this year, doctors from England and Australia traveled to Roanoke to learn the procedure at Carilion Clinic Orthopaedics.
“Doctors are increasingly attracted to this procedure by the precision and accuracy of the technique, and because their patients benefit from shorter recovery times,” Dr. Moskal said. “Returning a patient to an active lifestyle has a significant impact on their future health and well being.”
Carilion Clinic Orthopaedics is the leading provider of orthopaedic services, including the Anterior Approach hip replacement procedure, in western Virginia. Since 2009 its doctors have performed more than 1,700 hip replacement operations using the Anterior Approach.
For more information visit http://www.carilionclinic.org/surgery/anterior-hip-replacement .
