Completion of the procedure. After the prosthetic joint has been properly inserted, the surgeon will remove any damaged cartilage from the surrounding area. The new socket will be attached, which connects to the prosthetic ball joint. Finally, the surgeon will reattach all the muscle and close the incision.
The traditional hip replacement incision is 8 to 10 inches in length, while the new, minimally invasive procedure requires a cut of only 2 to 5 inches. The actual replacement process is the same regardless of the incision. The less invasive procedure provides a quicker procedure, faster recovery time and shorter hospital stay. However, some surgeons may not be as comfortable working with such a small area and insist on the traditional method.
Any patient should extensively research and compare several surgeons before they make a definitive choice; a minimally invasive procedure can have negative outcomes if it’s done by a surgeon who isn’t skilled in the approach.
