
When hip arthritis begins to affect everyday life, hip replacement may be considered. While traditional hip replacement methods have been effective in alleviating hip pain, the direct anterior hip replacement approach helps speed recovery after surgery.
Dr. William F. Tucker, Jr., is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in anterior hip replacement. Dr. Tucker completed his fellowship in Adult Joint Reconstruction at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, a world-renowned facility in joint replacement.
When is hip replacement surgery recommended?
Dr. Tucker recommends hip replacement to patients who have severe arthritis that causes significant daily pain or loss of motion in the hip, which results in the inability to perform daily activities. This may include having difficulty walking, standing for long periods of time, getting up from a seated position, or climbing stairs.
The goal of hip replacement is to reduce pain and improve range of motion so that patients can return to their normal activities as quickly and safely as possible.
What are the benefits of anterior hip replacement?
Traditionally, hip replacement surgery is performed with an incision on the back or side of the hip, and muscles and tendons must be cut or detached to access the hip joint. However, in direct anterior hip replacement, Dr. Tucker makes an incision on the front of the hip, where he can perform the hip replacement without cutting muscles or tendons around the joint.
Because the muscles and tendons do not have to be detached, the anterior approach helps minimize pain after surgery. This can lead to a more rapid recovery. Dr Tucker utilizes an x-ray camera during the procedure, which helps confirm optimal sizing and positioning of the hip replacement implants.
Most patients are a candidate for anterior hip replacement.
What happens during an anterior hip replacement procedure?
During anterior hip replacement, Dr. Tucker replaces the ball of the hip joint with a new ball, which is attached to a metallic stem that is fitted into the femur (thigh bone). A new hip socket is placed in the pelvis. Dr. Tucker performs the procedure with x-ray guidance to confirm the positioning of the implants without having to make a larger incision. On average, the procedure takes approximately one hour to perform.
Dr. Tucker recommends starting physical therapy before surgery. This helps speed the recovery process after surgery. Patients need to see their primary care doctor for lab work and a medical checkup before surgery. Our office can arrange for you to see one of our medical doctors before surgery if needed. Patients should complete any necessary medical or dental procedures before proceeding with hip replacement.
What happens during the recovery process?
Most patients begin walking the same day of surgery. Patients may go home when they are comfortable and safe to do so, typically on the day of surgery or the morning thereafter.
Whenever possible Dr. Tucker and his team prefer to use a spinal anesthetic along with local anesthetic, which is injected into and around the hip to help minimize pain after surgery. This helps reduce side effects from anesthesia and helps with comfort after surgery. Most patients describe their pain after surgery as soreness.
Mobility & Physical Therapy
Patients use a walker for approximately one week after surgery. Dr. Tucker recommends physical therapy to assist with strengthening and range of motion exercises. Most patients go to physical therapy for 4-6 weeks after surgery. Dr. Tucker’s office refers patients to a physical therapist who is close to their home. Patients may drive when they are able to walk without the walker and drive safely.
Full Recovery
Patients should avoid high impact and twisting activities early after surgery, as well as any activities that put them at risk of falling or tripping. The bone will grow into the new implants, and the initial bone ingrowth takes about 2 months.
Patients can return to most of their normal activities within 6 weeks after surgery, and a majority say they are fully recovered within 3 months of surgery. With anterior hip replacement, there are no permanent restrictions after the patient has fully recovered.
Anterior Hip Replacement in Dallas, TX
William F. Tucker, Jr., MD, is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon with over 25 years of experience. He specializes in joint replacement surgery and is fellowship trained in Adult Joint Reconstruction/Total Joint Replacement. Dr. Tucker is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a Fellow of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.
Anterior hip replacement is one of the options Dr. Tucker offers to patients to improve upon the results of more traditional surgical methods. He and his team provide a personalized patient experience.
If you have any questions about anterior hip replacement or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Tucker, please call our office at (469) 291-1511.