Mini Incision Total Hip Replacement by Todd V. Swanson MD

Patient Videos

Patients recover extremely quickly using minimally invasive surgical techniques. Although discharge of patients the day of surgery has been most advertised by surgeons utilizing a 2-incision technique, there is no data to show that either a single incision or 2-incision total hip replacement technique is superior to the other. Additionally, the single incision technique has been shown to be safe in multiple studies, whereas the 2-incision technique has been shown to have a high complication rate even among the developers of the technique (click here to learn more about the differences between single incision and 2-incision surgeries).

In the fall of 2003, to determine whether single-incision patients could successfully be discharged the day of surgery, I pre-selected 15 patients to undergo a single-incision total hip replacement with an accelerated rehabilitation program in order to discharge them the day of surgery. Utilizing a protocol similar to that used by advocates of the 2-incision technique, all 15 were up and walking comfortably the day of surgery.

Although this study proves that it is possible to discharge pre-selected patients the day of surgery, many surgeons, including myself, have serious concerns about the safety of discharging total hip replacement patients too early. Therefore, I do not routinely discharge patients the same day.

See videos of single-incision patients walking the day of surgery

Disclaimer:The information provided here is intended to educate the reader about certain medical conditions and certain possible treatment. It is not a substitute for examination, diagnosis, and medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional. If you believe you, your child, or someone you know, suffer from the conditions described herein, please see your health care provider immediately. Do not attempt to treat yourself, your child or anyone else without proper medical supervision.

The minimally invasive total hip replacement was developed by Dr. Swanson after being introduced to the concept in early 1997. Dr. Swanson began using the technique in May of 1997 and has continued to make improvements that now allow reliable surgery and reproducibly good results in most patients. Standardization of the technique has allowed teaching to other surgeons. Numerous physicians and orthopedic companies have shown interest in promoting “minimally invasive surgery” for total hip replacements.

The minimally invasive technique utilizes a 3-4 inch incision, much smaller than the 8-10 inch approach historically used for hip replacement. Patients require less anesthesia and pain medication, and mobilize more quickly. This results in both quicker recovery for the patient and a lower incidence of complications.

Patients typically recover from minimally invasive surgery in about half the time it takes to recover from standard incision surgery (6 weeks vs. 12 weeks).

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