Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement

What is a hip replacement?

Hip replacement surgery is a procedure that is performed in order to help relieve a painful hip joint. On completion of the procedure, patients are able to walk more easily and enjoy a better quality of life.

Pain in the hip joint can be caused by a number of factors, including a fractured bone, or a condition like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Arthritis causes the cartilage to wear away, reducing the space between the joints and the bones. This causes hip pain and swelling in the joints, and because the lubrication in the joints is decreased, it can be difficult to move the joint.

Since hip replacement surgery is a serious procedure, it is not one entered into lightly. Also known as hip arthroplasty, it is considered as the final fix for arthritis sufferers.

How does it work?

During the hip replacement procedure, a painful hip joint is removed and replaced by an artificial joint, which is composed of metal and plastic structures, and moulded to the patient’s unique body shape and size.

Dr McCready is one of the few surgeons who can perform a direct anterior (from the front), minimally invasive approach to hip joint replacement surgery. The technique Dr McCready uses is known as the MicroHip technique, and was developed by Dr Markus Michel from Switzerland.

Dr McCready was privileged to learn this hip surgery technique directly from Dr Michel. The procedure is a muscle sparing technique. The interval between the muscles is exploited to enter the hip joint, rather than cutting through the muscles. For this reason, this procedure is less traumatic.

What are the benefits?

The potential benefits of this minimally invasive approach to hip replacement include:

• Less postoperative pain
• Quicker recovery of function
• A shorter stay in the hospital
• Less scarring
• Reduced risk of infection
• Improved quality of life