Patients are often confused by the most common hip joint procedures — total hip replacement and arthroscopic hip surgery. While the two minimally invasive hip joint surgeries may appear similar, they target and treat different conditions. Let’s take a detailed look at each of these surgical procedures that have become a staple in solving hip joint problems and helping patients regain mobility.
Total Hip Replacement
Anterior hip replacement, a.k.a. muscle sparing surgery, is a minimally invasive surgery that replaces a hip joint with an artificial one. This procedure is done from the front side of the hip, which replaces a damaged hip joint to ease pain and improve the patient’s movements. The surgeon replaces parts of the hip joint with an artificial one made from metal, ceramic, or a combination of both with linings made in the same materials or even plastic.
An anterior approach allows the surgeon to perform the surgery through a smaller incision, which is highly beneficial because it is less painful and there is less muscle trauma for the patient. It also requires a shorter hospital stay, decreased recovery times, and carries a lower risk of complications than traditional approaches to hip replacement.
Once completed, the surgery treats hip damage resulting from arthritis, broken or injured hip, bone tumors, and avascular necrosis. When coupled with physical therapy, this procedure achieves excellent results.
Hip Arthroscopy
Hip Arthroscopy is also a minimally invasive procedure that allows orthopedic surgeons to examine a problematic hip joint from the inside. The surgeon uses an arthroscope, which is a fiber-optic tube fitted with a small camera connected to a monitor, to get a magnified view of the joint. From there, the surgeon examines the condition of the articular cartilage on the femoral head and inside the socket. They also examine the joint for a torn labrum, loose bodies, inflamed joint lining, degenerative conditions, or bone spurs.
Which of the Two Procedures is Most Effective?
While both procedures target the hip joint, it all depends on the condition of the patient’s hip as each surgery treats the situation differently.
Hip Arthroscopy is required to repair a labral tear and resolve hip impingement that could lead to osteoarthritis. Other treatment options with this procedure are to remove bone spurs, inflamed joint lining, and loose cartilage fragments following an injury.
Total Hip Replacement surgery is often recommended when the damage to the hip joint is beyond repair. It’s the last option to solving a hip joint problem that’s affecting a patient’s mobility. The conditions that lead to a total hip replacement surgery are Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, and Osteonecrosis.
If you, or someone you know, are experiencing hip pain and would like to schedule an appointment for a consultation, or have questions regarding hip surgeries, contact us today!