Preferred Hip Replacement Technique- Superpath or Direct Anterior?
Posted , 6 users are following.
I’m facing the prospect of a hip replacement later this year and seeking guidance from past patients as to what is the better procedure- Superpath or Direct Anterior.
Initially , I was focused on the Superpath approach based on its stated claims of being:
•the least invasive technique with minimal soft tissue disturbance and no dislocation of the hip
•quicker functional recovery
•inherent stability and no restrictions on hip position post surgery (ie no dislocation risk)
• less pain
• low complication rate
Most of this information supporting Superpath came from online data posted a few years ago. Only a few hip surgeons’ in Australia (I live in south east Queensland) appear to have been offering the Superpath procedure.
From further research , it appears that the majority of surgeons’ in Australia prefer the Direct Anterior approach. In the case of the few surgeons who have trained on both techniques, they also see Direct Anterior as the better approach.
The reasons given for Direct Anterior include:
•minimally invasive: it does not cut any muscles and is the only technique that provides a true inter-muscular and inter- nervous surgical approach
•quicker recovery, less post surgical pain and blood loss
•with Superpath, some of the glutius maximus muscle is split thus not muscle sparing like the anterior approach; the choice of implants is restricted; it is less amenable to intra -operative X-raying
I would be pleased to hear from others as to their experience with either of these 2 techniques.
Dennis
0 likes, 7 replies
ptolemy dennisp
Edited
In my opinion the really important thing is to find a first rate surgeon and just go with whatever method they use. If you find more than one good surgeon you can then choose your technique. I had lateral posterior and had no pain after, I did take paracetamol for a couple of days. I stopped using crutches at my front door when I got home (I was rubbish with them anyway) and used a stick outdoors and furniture surfed indoors. I went out to lunch with my sister the day after I got home. I must admit I was relieved that my surgeon had stopped doing anterior as I had heard a lot of comments about nerve damage using that technique which did worry me. I think a person's attitude makes a world of difference too.
Jane1540 ptolemy
Posted
the above response is exactly what i would say- advantages to both- go with doctor most comfortable with. i switched dr's based on my physio's recommendation- and had to wait 6 mths to get in to him- previously had a hip dr for 1 yr 3 mths who gave me injections but was not instilling confidence that THR was the answer. after a 30 min virtual appt w new dr in May- who took much more time going over my xrays and watching me move (over the phone) I knew i was ready and had complete confidence that he was the right dr for me. dr james chow, the superpath method. however, as per previous reply the method was an after thought- the dr was the critical choice! hope this helps:)
Jane1540
Posted
oops my reply should have been to Dennis. sorry! new to this site...
Jane1540 dennisp
Posted
sorry dennis please see my other reply!
jen86183 dennisp
Posted
Hi dennisp,
I am quite thick at times, do forgive me asking this question. I do not understand you saying they do not dislocate the hip, if you are having a hip replacement, the surgeon needs to saw through your bones, take out the bad hip bone and socket, replace with a new shiny metal one, not understanding the dislocation, as I said I can be quite thick.
I had a posterior replacement, no muscles were cut, I think it was in the past they cut your muscles not these days. I have never had any pain since the op. The posterior is a very tried and tested procedure.
Howeller jen86183
Posted
Hi Jen86138, I think Dennis is referring to the new hip joint dislocating after surgery. It does happen unfortunately.
jen86183 Howeller
Posted
Thank you Howeller, I read it that the surgeon dislocated it 🤣🤣🤣🤣.