Mini-Posterior Approach
Surgical Procedure
This approach utilizes the standard location and direction of a traditional hip replacement incision, but the incision is much smaller. The surgical procedure is designed to decrease the damage to the posterior hip structures so that rehabilitation can be faster. Instead of the standard 10-12” incision, it can be done through a small 3-4" incision, resulting in improved cosmetic outcomes. Traditional hip replacement components are used and only a few additional pieces of surgical equipment are necessary. Similar to conventional incision surgery, the procedure takes about two hours. Rather than a radically new procedure, it is considered the natural evolution of surgical techniques applied to hip joint replacement.
Recovery after Single-Incision Posterior Surgery
After surgery, most patients are admitted for a period of two to five days. Patients may expect to put weight down on the leg immediately after surgery. Instructions are given on how to restrict movement to protect the hip until full tissue healing occurs, approximately 12 weeks after surgery. Patients may progress from a walker assistive device to crutches in the first one to two weeks after surgery and may resume driving at two weeks. Patients may be able to return to their daily lives within four to six weeks, as opposed to the three to four month recovery period that is common for a traditional hip surgery.
Single-Incision Posterior Surgery: Who is a Candidate?
The criteria for the minimally invasive single incision hip replacement technique requires evidence of arthritis on a hip x-ray, history of pain and failure of conservative treatment, as well as appropriate weight. An overweight individual is not a good candidate for the minimally invasive single-incision hip replacement technique.
