Anterior Approach Hip Replacement

Most people don't look forward to having a hip replaced. But thanks to a less invasive technique that's now available in Northeast Georgia, patients who must undergo the surgery now can expect a faster, less traumatic recovery.

Charlie DeCook, M.D., the newest orthopaedic surgeon at The Longstreet Clinic, P.C., is fellowship trained in total joint replacement and specializes in Anterior Approach Hip Replacement. He is one of only nine surgeons in Georgia and the only one north of Atlanta trained in anterior approach.

“The anterior approach is a technique that decreases the pain from hip replacement surgery and allows patients to recover much faster than the traditional approaches,” Dr. DeCook said. Using a special table called the HANA table, the orthopaedic surgeon is able to access the hip joint from the front of the hip as opposed to the back as most surgeons do.

“Going from the front is less invasive and less damaging to the surrounding muscle and hip joint,” DeCook said. “As a result, patients are in less pain, recover quicker and leave the hospital sooner.”

Listen to what our patients are saying about Anterior Approach Hip Replacement!

Some potential advantages of this technique include:

• Decreased hospital stay
• Reduced pain
• Smaller incision
• Less invasive
• Less muscle trauma
• Faster recovery
• Decreased risk of dislocation
• More accurate restoration of natural anatomy
• More accurate leg length

According to Dr. DeCook, one of the most exciting advantages of anterior approach total hip replacement surgery is the decreased risk of hip dislocations. Because the surgeon is not cutting through muscle and the hip joint in the back, the hip is more stable and has less of a risk of hip dislocation when compared to the traditional hip replacement surgery. Another advantage is the surgeon is able to more easily use X-ray to help him or her during the surgery. This allows the surgeon to more accurately restore their natural hip anatomy and more accurately place the parts of the hip replacement.

Dr. DeCook has medical staff privileges at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. He is now accepting new patients in both Gainesville and Braselton. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact 770-532-7092.

For more information about anterior approach hip replacement surgery, visit www.newhipnews.com.