Dr. Brian Lohrbach of the Orthopedic & Sports Institute recently performed his 800th anterior hip replacement. Lohrbach is a recognized expert in the anterior hip procedure, a minimally invasive procedure that is one of the most important surgical advances in hip pain management. While conventional hip surgery utilizes a posterior (back) or lateral (side) approach, the anterior procedure begins with an incision at the front of the hip. Doing this allows the surgeon to have access to the hip socket without having to cut through major muscle groups.
Patients who have undergone anterior hip surgery report a faster recovery time. It is typical to see a 2-3 day reduction in recovery stays, but the results are even more significant once the patient has returned home. Reduced post-operative pain is another benefit. Because of a smaller incision and leaving the major hip muscles intact, there is less pain. The procedure also reduces scarring. And since major muscle groups are not disturbed, anterior hip patients are not limited in their movements during the recovery period. Movements such as sitting and bending are often restricted for weeks following conventional surgery. Anterior hip patients are encouraged to use the hip normally following surgery.
Dr. Lohrbach presents free seminars on the anterior hip procedure at OSI throughout the year.