As they age, hunters and anglers may find the outdoor activities they’ve always enjoyed are becoming more difficult due to hip pain. Climbing into a stand, walking through dense underbrush to their shooting house, wading in the marsh to setup decoys or pulling in that big lunker on the end of the line may cause too much physical pain to enjoy. Hip pain, which can be caused by arthritis and other conditions, can put a huge damper on the outdoor enthusiasts’ lifestyle, but fortunately there’s a solution. Hip replacement surgery can get them back out there and actively enjoying their favorite past times after a fairly short recovery period. But which method of hip replacement is best?
How Do You Know If You Need a Hip Replacement
Dr. Jacob Seales, a joint replacement and revision surgeon in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, who specializes in hip and knee replacements assisted by StrykerMako SmartRoboticsTM, says when the pain becomes too much and you are no longer able to enjoy the activities you once loved, then it may be time to consider hip replacement surgery.
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“I see a ton of aging hunters and anglers in my practice who suffer from different types of joint pain. It gets in the way of the hobbies they love. The pain is typically caused by osteoarthritis. Millions of people develop it in the U.S. and the older you get, the more likely you are to get it. Your weight and activity level can also play a role. Genetics plays a role as well. If it runs in your family, you’re more likely to suffer from it,” Seales said.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that approximately one in four adults in America suffer from doctor-diagnosed arthritis and almost 44% of those diagnosed are so physically limited that they can’t fully take part in the activities and hobbies they enjoy.
With advancements in medical technology, hunters no longer have to let chronic hip pain keep them from enjoying the outdoors.
When cartilage breaks down and thins out over time, it causes pain and inflammation. Seales said when someone comes in to his office with pain, stiffness, swelling and/or loss of motion in their hip, he does an x-ray or MRI to confirm a diagnosis of joint disease and to see how far it’s progressed.
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If it’s in the early stages and not too severe, he tries conservative treatment, such as physical therapy and steroid injections to relieve the pain. For some people, the conservative treatment is enough and the disease will never progress to the point where they need surgery, but for many, surgery is needed in order for them to get back to the activities they enjoy.
“I always try to give patients control in the decision of when or if to do the surgery. It’s an elective procedure. Usually, once it gets to the point where it’s bothering them badly enough and they’re not able to do the things they enjoy, or if the injections just aren’t helping enough, they’re ready to get a hip replacement,” Seales said.
Stryker Mako SmartRobotics enhances precision, decreases pain and improves recovery time.
Anterior Vs Posterior Hip Replacement
Anterior vs posterior hip replacement need to be considered when considering which method of hip replacement is the best.
Thanks to a new method of surgery and the help of a robotic-arm, hip replacement surgery has advanced a lot over the recent years so that the patient can go home the same day as the surgery, and it takes less time to recover and get back out doing the things he or she loves.
“Over the last 15 to 20 years, the direct anterior approach to hip replacement surgery has gained in popularity. It’s a more minimally invasive, muscle-sparing way to do a total hip replacement. And because it spares the muscles, patients are able to bounce back more quickly,” Seales said.
These days, surgeons go through the front side of the hip between a natural window in the hip muscles instead of the posterior approach that was once used that required cutting the muscle. As the new approach has developed and surgeons have learned how to do it more successfully with low risk, it’s gained in popularity.
“After the old posterior surgical method, the average recovery time was three months. With the new anterior method using the Mako robotic arm, the average recovery time is now only six weeks. Most of my patients go home the same day and are walking unassisted in two to three weeks. It’s such as successful surgery that so many of my patients tell me they wish they hadn’t waited so long to do it,” Seales said.
The surgeon controls the robotic arm and combines his or her knowledge and judgment with the robot’s precision and control.
Robotic Hip Replacement
Seales began using the Stryker Mako robotic arm, which enhances precision, decreases pain and improves recovery time, a little over five years ago and says surgery using the robotic arm typically only takes 30 minutes or so.
Prior to the Stryker Mako hip replacement,a CT scan is taken of the joint and the info/image is entered into the robotic arm. The system then creates a 3-D virtual model of the joint to help the doctor plan for the surgery. The pre-surgical plan is overlaid on the real-time surgery and used as a guide. The surgeon uses the robotic arm to precisely prepare the bone according to visual boundaries that protect the essential structure and removes only the part that’s been affected. The robotic arm is used to place the implant and ensure that it is balanced and fits well. The robotic arm’s tracking eyes can also adjust for very small movements.
Seales explained that the robotic arm makes the actual cuts so the alignment is within a half millimeter and a half of a degree of where it’s supposed to be. The robotic arm offers a much more precise way of performing the surgery and allows the surgeon to finetune cuts requiring less soft-tissue release to make adjustments, which means less pain and a quicker recovery.
Of course, it’s important to understand that the robot isn’t performing the surgery, the surgeon is. The surgeon controls the robotic arm and combines his or her knowledge and judgment with the robot’s precision and control, resulting in a more precise procedure.
Before the surgery, a CT scan is taken of the joint and the info/image is entered into the robotic arm.
During the procedure, the surgeon replaces an arthritic or dysfunctional joint surface with an orthopedic prosthesis made of titanium or polyethylene. The most commonly performed joint replacements are hip and knee, but can be performed on other joints, including the ankle, wrist, shoulder and elbow.
How Long to Recover After Hip Replacement
After the surgery, the patient is up and moving around after a few hours with the help of the hospital staff. The patient can then return home that same day, although elderly or more debilitated patients may need to stay in the hospital an extra day.
“Usually, after around six weeks of recovery, most people are starting to get back to their normal lives and doing the things they enjoyed doing before they suffered from severe hip pain. They’ll have some limitations the first couple of months, but after three months, they will enjoy pain-free, full range of movement in the replaced joint with no restrictions or long-term issues,” Seales said.
If they were climbing treestands and wading through marshes before they started suffering with hip issues, they can likely begin enjoying those activities again.
He said after they’ve healed from surgery and realize how easy and successful the process was, many of his patients say that they wish they’d had surgery sooner so they wouldn’t have missed out on their hobbies and activities for so long.
How Long Does Hip Replacement Last
Thanks to the higher-quality titanium and polyethylene implant material, implants can now last 25 to 30 years, so the risk of revision is low for most people. Past implants would only last for approximately 10 years, which often meant replacement was necessary, especially for younger patients.
So when we consider which method of hip replacement is best…with the advancement in surgical technique, and the help of the Stryker Mako robotic arm, anterior hip replacement surgery is the solution for many hunters and anglers who suffer from joint pain that limits their time and activities in the outdoors.
Stephanie Mallory
An Alabama native, Stephanie Mallory spent her childhood roaming the Bankhead Forest with her father who instilled in her a passion for the outdoors. After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in corporate journalism, Mallory decided to combine her education and passion into a career focused on the outdoors. As a freelance writer, photographer and public relations specialist, Mallory has written hundreds of magazine and Internet articles and has co-authored the book, Basic Essentials of Archery published by Globe Pequot Press.
FAQs
What is the best hip replacement for athletes? ›
The Taperloc femoral hip replacement is one of the best hip replacements used in the world – for any age and activity level. As the most successful titanium hip, the Taperloc femoral component has proven to stay firmly attached even after 28 years, allowing countless people to live life on their terms.
What is the new technology for hip replacement 2023? ›Hip Replacement
The Polymotion implant offers the biomechanical benefits of hip resurfacing while eliminating metal-on-metal articulating surfaces. Exactech and JointMedica were granted Breakthrough Device Designation for Polymotion in 2022 and announced the first surgeries with the system in early 2023.
The anterior approach to hip replacement tends to provide the surgeon with a more limited view of the hip joint during surgery, making the surgery technically challenging, especially for less experienced surgeons. The posterior and direct lateral approaches provide the surgeon with a better view of the hip joint.
What is the newest technique for hip replacement? ›With SUPERPATH®, there is no surgical dislocation of the hip. Patients can also have as little as a 3-inch incision. It is important to understand that "less invasive" does not only refer to the incision but also means less trauma to the muscles and tendons under the skin.
What is the least invasive hip replacement surgery? ›Anterior hip replacement is a minimally invasive hip surgery performed to replace the hip joint without cutting through any muscles. It is also referred to as muscle sparing surgery because no muscles are cut enabling a quicker return to normal activity.
Is there an athletic hip replacement? ›While an athlete should not expect to have the same performance level with a hip replacement as with the original hip, many sports such as hiking, cross-country skiing, swimming, and cycling can be performed after hip replacement without limitation.
Which hip replacement is better? ›Anterior hip replacements have fewer long-term restrictions. Although anterior hip replacements do heal faster, both procedures ultimately leave the patient ready to return to almost all of the activities they were able to do before surgery.
What is the most popular hip replacement? ›The posterior approach to total hip replacement is the most commonly used method and allows the surgeon excellent visibility of the joint, more precise placement of implants and is minimally invasive.
Which hip is most commonly replaced? ›posterior hip replacement, posterior hip replacement is the most common approach. Posterior hip replacement has a lower risk of fracture and provides the surgeon with full visualization of the hip cup and femur. In a traditional total hip replacement, one area of risk is for a postoperative hip dislocation.
What are the disadvantages of anterior hip replacement? ›One of the risks involved with using the anterior approach is the potential for a crack in the thigh bone or change in the implant position in relation to the thigh bone. However, the risk is still low, occurring in less than two percent of patients who undergo this approach.
Who is not a good candidate for anterior hip replacement? ›
Less ideal patients for the anterior approach are those with significant deformities of their proximal femur due to previous trauma or dysplasia and previous acetabular fracture patients. The procedure is available for all age groups and can also be performed in some overweight patients.
Is SuperPath better than anterior hip replacement? ›For hip replacements, a fairly recent evolution has come in the form of SuperPath. Like the anterior approach before it, SuperPath has taken a successful procedure and made it even better. Key SuperPath benefits that differentiate it from its predecessors include: Smaller incision size.
What is the recovery time for an anterior hip replacement? ›Since the muscles around the hip joint are not cut with the anterior approach, recovery only takes two to eight weeks.
How long has SuperPATH hip replacement been around? ›The inception of this family of approaches dates back to 2002. SuperPATH is an evolutionary result of our past 18 years of clinical experience. To date, SuperPATH's approach methodology and tooling is patented, and it is the only hip replacement technique to receive FDA (US) clearance for the technique itself.
What hurts the most after hip replacement surgery? ›However, even the most successful hip replacement is not immune to postoperative aches and pains, the most common of which are pains in or around the buttocks. The pain does not render you immobile and does not indicate an unsuccessful surgery as it is entirely normal following a hip replacement.
Is there an alternative to total hip replacement? ›Stem cell therapy utilizes cells from your own bone marrow to begin the regeneration process. This treatment is typically reserved for patients who have significant damage to their hips, but where there is a realistic expectation that the treatment will help the patient avoid a hip replacement.
What sports to avoid after hip replacement? ›The general consensus is that high-impact sports are discouraged following surgery. These are activities with a high risk of falling such as rugby, martial arts and football. Low impact sports such as golf, cycling, hiking and swimming (avoid breaststroke) are encouraged.
What sports are off limits after a hip replacement? ›These include any sports involving running, jumping, and repetitive high impact on the hip, specifically racquetball, squash, basketball, soccer, football, softball, snowboarding, and high-impact aerobics.
What activities are prohibited after hip replacement? ›You should avoid participating in high-impact sports, such as football, basketball, volleyball, jogging, and even skiing, after your hip replacement. Low-impact sports such as golf, cycling, swimming, and bowling are considered acceptable activities to engage in after your hip replacement.
How long does it take to walk normally after hip surgery? ›Most hip replacement patients are able to walk within the same day or next day of surgery; most can resume normal routine activities within the first 3 to 6 weeks of their total hip replacement recovery. Once light activity becomes possible, it's important to incorporate healthy exercise into your recovery program.
What percentage of hip replacements are successful? ›
Very High Overall Success Rate
The success rate for this surgery is excellent, with greater than 95% of patients experiencing hip pain relief. The success rate of hip replacements after ten years from surgery is 90-95%, and 80-85% after 20 years.
Titanium Implants
Both the ball and the socket of the hip joint are replaced with a titanium implant, and a plastic spacer is placed in between. Titanium metal has a long history of established effectiveness in hip replacement and continues to be preferred by many surgeons.
There are fewer muscles in the front of the hip, which means less damage to major muscles. Because the surgery doesn't require cutting major muscles, typically patients experience less pain after surgery and require less pain medication.
Will I need a walker after anterior hip replacement? ›As stated above, you will need a walker or cane for stability for the first 3-6 weeks. When you begin to felt that you don't need the cane anymore, you can begin to wean from the cane; that is, you can stop using it for short distances and walk further and further without it.
What are the disadvantages of robotic hip replacement? ›- Surgical time is likely to be slightly longer than with traditional joint replacements, exposing patients to theoretically greater risk of infection.
- Any computerised system is only as good as the information that is inputted into it.
You should not bend your hip beyond 60 to 90 degrees for the first six to 12 weeks after surgery. Do not cross your legs or ankles, either. It's best to avoid bending to pick things up during this period.
Do they cut muscle in anterior hip replacement? ›Anterior Hip Replacement is a minimally invasive hip surgery to replace the hip joint without cutting through any muscles. The surgical procedure involves a small incision in front of the hip, anterior, as opposed to an incision on the side or back of the hip.
What is the best chair to sit in after anterior hip replacement? ›Sit in a firm chair with a straight back and armrests. Avoid soft chairs, rocking chairs, stools, or sofas. Avoid chairs that are too low.
What are the problems with superpath hip replacement? ›Infection of the body or blood. Immature bones that are not fully developed. Weak or unhealthy bones due to severe bone loss. Blood vessel, muscle or nervous diseases that may interfere with the stability of the artificial hip joint.
Where is the incision for superpath hip replacement? ›Superpath hip replacement is performed under general anesthesia. You will lie on your side for the procedure. A 2-3 cm incision is made on the side of your hip. Your surgeon retracts the buttock muscles and tendons to access the hip joint without cutting any soft tissues.
How long after anterior hip surgery can you sleep on your side? ›
It's best to avoid sleeping on your affected side for at least six weeks. After your doctor gives you the go-ahead, listen to your body, and only lie on your operative side when you feel comfortable.
Is it OK to sit in a recliner after hip replacement surgery? ›Try to sit in a straight back chair (avoid low sofas, recliners, or zero-gravity chairs) for the first 6 weeks. Do NOT sleep in a recliner. Your hip will get stiff in a flexed position and be harder to straighten out.
Is anterior hip replacement less painful? ›In the short-term, anterior hip replacement is less painful and leads to a quicker recovery of mobility and strength compared to a posterior or lateral approach. The long-term outcome is very good and similar to other approaches.
What is the 90% rule with hip replacement? ›To minimize the risk of dislocating your hip replacement, keep in mind the 90-Degree Rule: Do not bend your leg at the hip past 90 degrees (a “right angle”). Also avoid crossing your legs and squatting.
Is it better to wait as long as possible for a hip replacement? ›Whether your hip trouble is the result of osteoporosis, arthritis, or osteoarthritis, an accident, or injury, delaying surgery may make the existing deformity worse.
Which is better lateral or posterior hip replacement? ›Some surgeons believe that the posterior approach is better because people may have less problems walking after surgery. Other surgeons believe that the lateral approach is better because people may have less chance of nerve damage and less chance of dislocating their hip after surgery.
What type of hip replacement lasts the longest? ›Research shows older-style implants usually last longer than newer models.
What is the biggest risk with a hip replacement? ›While hip replacement surgery isn't considered a risky procedure, as with any major operation, there are risks of complications. Among the most common for hip replacement patients is the risk of blood clots. These are often found in the legs (Deep Vein Thrombosis) or in the lungs (Pulmonary embolus).
What is the most common problem with hip replacement? ›Loosening of the joint
This is the most common complication of hip replacement and occurs when the shaft of the prosthesis becomes loose in the socket of the thigh bone or the bone surrounding the implant starts to thin. This can lead to pain and a sensation that the joint is unstable.
Around three months after your hip operation, most things will go back to normal, and the pain goes away for most people. You need to look out for signs of complications and continue being careful with how you move your hip. After 6 to 12 months, the recovery is considered complete.
Can you ever kneel again after a hip replacement? ›
After a hip replacement, many patients can kneel down after completing the precautionary period of three months. The safe way to do this is to perform a single-legged kneel whereby the patient kneels on the knee of the operated side only. This means that the other hip has to bend whilst the operated hip stays extended.
Will I ever run again after hip replacement? ›The good news is that most runners can return to running after a hip replacement with very little issue. As long as you listen to your body and progress slowly, you should be able to run pain-free and potentially return to prior levels of training in time.
How long does it take for a 90 year old to recover from a hip replacement? ›Long Recovery Time
The length of recovery from hip fractures among older patients can increase with age. In general, the older individuals are and the greater number of conditions they have, the longer it can take to recover. The recovery time for a hip replacement ranges from four weeks to up to six months.
Avoid bending forward at the hip, creating an angle of fewer than 90 degrees. Don't cross your legs at the knee. Avoid movements that place your hips lower than your knees, like squatting. Avoid sudden movements that could lead to an injury.
How long does it take to walk normally after a hip replacement? ›Most hip replacement patients are able to walk within the same day or next day of surgery; most can resume normal routine activities within the first 3 to 6 weeks of their total hip replacement recovery. Once light activity becomes possible, it's important to incorporate healthy exercise into your recovery program.