Hip Care

Wisconsin Bone & Joint hip care experts offer comprehensive
services to individuals with a wide range of hip pain issues.

Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty

Hip Specialists At Wisconsin Bone & Joint

The physicians at Wisconsin Bone & Joint utilize cutting-edge technology to assess, diagnose and work with patients to develop innovative treatment plans for a variety of hip conditions and injuries. Our team of physicians are committed to providing you with the best treatment options to alleviate your hip pain.

Providing trusted Orthopedic care in the community for over 40+ years

At Wisconsin Bone and Joint, we pride ourselves with providing you highly personalized and comprehensive orthopedic care. Our philosophy of direct physician-to-patient care means your physician will be an intrical part of every stage of your care. This commitment to a dedicated continuum-of-care model has made us one of the most trusted and respected practices in Southeast Wisconsin and greater Milwaukee area.

Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty

What Are The Treatment Options For Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty?

In the United States, there are over 200,000 Total Hip Replacements (THR) performed each year. The first total hip replacement was performed in the United States was in 1969. Since then, significant improvements in the techniques and technology have drastically improved the surgical outcome and quality of life for those people undergoing this procedure.

Most people who undergo THR surgery are between the ages of 50-80. The most common reasons for undergoing THR surgery are severe pain and decreased mobility interfering with activities of daily living.

These chronic disabling conditions are most often caused by some form of arthritis due to chronic wear and tear, trauma or disease in the hip joint. The hip joint is known as a “ball and socket joint” with the head of the femur (the ball) gliding against the acetabulum (the socket).

While the risks of complications with THR surgery are low, they include infection, nerve injury, blood clots, and stiffness. When choosing a surgeon it is important to consider the amount of experience the physician has had performing either procedure.

During this procedure the damaged head of the femur is removed and replaced with a metal stem and a metal or ceramic ball and the damaged cartilage is removed from the socket and replaced with a metal socket. A plastic spacer is placed between the new ball and socket to allow for a smooth gliding movement.

When Dr. David Kornreich, Wisconsin Bone & Joint orthopedic surgeon trained in the anterior approach to hip replacement arthroplasty, assesses the severity of your injury and conducts a pre-surgical evaluation to obtain clearance for the procedure, he will take into consideration several important factors, including:

  • Your age
  • Condition of the hip joint
  • Which disease is causing your inflammatory arthritis
  • Progression of the disease

The most common surgical procedures performed for inflammatory arthritis of the hip include total hip replacement and synovectomy.

Direct Anterior Approach to Total Hip Replacement (Arthroplasty)

The Direct Anterior Approach for total hip replacement is a tissue-sparing alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery that provides improvements for the patient:

  • the potential for less post-operative pain
  • potential for less blood loss
  • decreased hospital stay and quicker recovery
  • less anesthesia and complications due to prolonged anesthesia use
  • improved mobility because the muscle tissues are spared during the surgical procedure
  • range of motion assessment during surgical procedure (Dr. Kornreich moves the leg and hip joint before completely closing up the incision to test and confirm full range-of-motion for the patient).

The technique allows Dr. David Kornreich to work between the patient‘s muscles and tissues without detaching them from either the hip or thighbones—sparing the tissue from trauma. Keeping the muscles intact may also help to prevent dislocations.

With the Anterior Approach, Dr. Kornreich uses one small incision on the front (anterior) of your hip as opposed to the side or back.

Since the incision is in front, the patient avoids the pain of sitting on the incision site.

During this procedure the damaged bone and cartilage is removed and replaced with prosthetic components. The damaged femoral head is removed and replaced with a metal stem that is placed into the hollow center of the femur. The femoral stem may be either cemented or “press fit” into the bone. A metal or ceramic ball is placed on the upper part of the stem. This ball replaces the damaged femoral head that was removed.

The damaged cartilage surface of the socket (acetabulum) is removed and replaced with a metal socket. Screws or cement are sometimes used to hold the socket in place. A plastic, ceramic, or metal spacer is inserted between the new ball and the socket to allow for a smooth gliding surface.

Recovery

How long it takes to recover and resume your daily activities will depend on several factors, including your general health and the type of surgical procedure you have. Initially, you may need a cane, walker, or crutches to walk. Dr. Kornreich may recommend physical therapy to help you regain strength in your hip and to restore range of motion.

Our team is here for you

When conservative care and treatment is appropriate, we offer the best, least invasive, least aggressive treatment options to relieve your pain and discomfort. When an injury is more serious and conservative care is not an option, our orthopedic surgeons provide the latest in innovative surgical interventions available with the goal of getting you back to the life you love. Wisconsin Bone & Joint physicians offer orthopedic services at three convenient locations in Mayfair, Glendale and Cedarburg.