Say No To Slow Hip Replacement Surgery Recovery
Sometimes, conditions like arthritis can rob people of mobility. A reduction of cartilage on the joints or even significant bone loss can make even simple movements difficult and lead to a reduced quality of life. Although non-invasive or at-home solutions can provide relief in some populations, other people may require more intensive treatment to regain mobility. Especially for older populations or individuals suffering from various forms of joint conditions, hip arthritis is a common culprit that can lead to sustained bone damage that also impacts surrounding tissue and cartilage. In more serious cases, a total joint replacement (TJR) may be the best solution. With the evolution of modern techniques and materials, minimally invasive surgery can greatly reduce recovery timelines following hip replacement thanks to the following factors.
Less tissue disturbance
Unlike open hip replacement surgery, people who undergo minimally invasive procedures don’t have larger incisions or more tissue movement when having the replacement hip inserted. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) results in a smaller incision at the surgical site. Similarly, because arthroscopy tools are used for more precise placement, recovering individuals have somewhat shortened healing timelines. Not only can people heal faster, but the risk of hip dislocation, which is a common concern with open TJR surgeries, is significantly reduced.
Faster recovery periods
A traditional open TJR recovery can be prolonged mainly because of how the operation is performed. Historically, a recovering individual wouldn’t expect to begin walking even with assistive devices until 3-12 weeks post-surgery. However, full recovery, where a person can resume a more active lifestyle, could take significantly longer, with averages being over a year. Yet the opposite is true with a MIS hip replacement. People can realize significantly shortened recovery timelines with patients immediately walking with assistive devices within hours of completing surgery. By 3-6 weeks, individuals can walk unassisted. For most recovering patients, full recovery with the freedom to participate in more active sports can occur around 16 weeks post.
Less scarring
Even though hip replacement is a serious surgery for many people, the reality is that the fear of scarring can cause many individuals to think twice before agreeing to the operation. Research has consistently proven that large scars do influence a person’s outward appearance, which can directly impact mental health. With MIS total hip replacement, the nature of the procedure results in significantly smaller incisions. Unlike a traditional surgery with incisions exceeding 6-10 inches long, a MIS TJR is just 3-5 inches long. Smaller scars are less visible and can translate to more confidence for recovering patients.
Choosing MIS hip replacement
Hip arthroscopy surgeries have been performed since the 1960s and are one of the most common operations performed annually. Over 450,000 procedures occur in the US every year. While both traditional and MIS methods offer similar long-term outcomes, the minimally invasive option offers a faster recovery period, fewer setbacks, reduced scarring, and less immediate pain because of cutting-edge techniques that are employed. If hip pain is making even simple walking more difficult, don’t suffer in silence and speak with a specialist.
