The short answer is almost everybody is a candidate for anterior approach hip replacement.
Bikini incisions aren’t just cosmetically less noticeable, they also heal better than standard incisions in patients with skin folds.
What causes weight gain immediately after hip replacement? It’s not the weight of your new implant. It’s down to your body’s inflammatory response following surgery.
Dr. Mast shares his thoughts on the use of surgical robots.
Dr. Mast has operated on many athletes, dancers and yogis -who regularly require a large range of motion – without using dual mobility implants. Here he discusses why he doesn’t generally use them.
People frequently ask when they can travel after their hip replacement. It’s important to remember that it is typically not the hip that’s going to get in the way of the travel. The issue is that you are at a unique risk for things like blood clots or complications from the surgery during the first six or eight weeks.
Dr. Mast clears up some misunderstandings about nerve damage associated with anterior hip surgeries.
While everyone recovers at their own speed, we take a look at the typical timelines for hitting key recovery milestones after hip replacement.
While physical therapy isn’t required following an anterior approach hip replacement – many patients find that they are able to hit their recovery goals much faster when guided by a physical therapist – as they are able to focus effort on the areas that need the most work. It’s common to have muscle imbalances following long-term osteoarthritis so if you have walked with a limp for some time before surgery, you may find that gait training helps you return to walking normally.
We recommend finding a physical therapist familiar with anterior hip replacements – as patients who have received other approaches often have multiple restrictions or precautions for up to 12 weeks after surgery. Ask us for a list of local therapists we recommend. Alternatively, your insurance provider may be able to share in-network therapists.
Do not start physical therapy until you have been cleared at your 2-weel post-operative meeting, however, we recommend planning ahead and contacting your chosen therapist before that date as it may take some weeks to schedule your initial PT evaluation.
You may also find pool therapy beneficial – after around 4 weeks after surgery when your incision has fully healed.
In addition, you will also be provided with a set of exercises that you can perform on your own at home. Aquatic exercises, swimming, and stationary bicycle walking will also be beneficial.
