Fayetteville, Ga. (December 7, 2018) Elective surgeries tend to increase at the end of the year as people who have reached their policies’ deductibles aim to maximize the remainder of their health insurance. One form of surgery that Piedmont Fayette Hospital sees with increasing regularity is anterior hip replacement. This is a minimally-invasive approach to surgery and the technique has improved over the years thanks to advances in technology and equipment.

“This type of surgery is mostly done with patients who have wear and tear on the hip joint and may suffer from arthritis,” said Charles Claps, DO., an orthopedic surgeon who is fellowship trained in hip and knee replacement surgery and performs this procedure at Piedmont Fayette.

Direct anterior approach hip replacement is a minimally-invasive alternative to the traditional approach for hip replacements. Surgeons are able to replace the hip through a natural space between certain muscles on the front of the body rather than making the incision on the back side of the body, eliminating the need to cut tissue or detach tendons.

One of the advances that has made this procedure easier is the HANA table, which allows the surgeon to get proper placement, improving accessibility and visibility during the surgery. The table allows for each leg to be moved independently and with a great range of motion. The table makes it easier to place the replacement joint and also to avoid damaging surrounding muscles.

Patients who have this procedure are often amazed at the recovery time. They progress from a walker to a cane quickly and are back doing what they love typically within a few weeks.

“Patients are up and walking with physical therapy the same day as their surgery,” said Claps. “Most patients go home the following day but now many can leave the same day as their hip replacement due to the decreased soft tissue damage with the anterior approach.”

For more information about orthopedic services, including direct anterior approach hip replacements, at Piedmont Fayette Hospital, visit piedmont.org/orthopedic