Effective January 1, 2021 – Medicare classifies total hip surgeries as outpatient surgeries. This will apply to some Medicare beneficiaries, but certainly not all total hip patients. Only after a thorough preoperative screening, will your surgeon determine if an outpatient procedure is right for your particular case. Schedule a consultation with one of our Total Joint Replacement surgeons to find out more by calling 901-759-3111.
Hip Replacement
Since the inception of total hip replacement surgery decades ago, thousands of patients in Memphis have had their lives restored through this life-changing procedure. In fact, more than 300,000 patients nationally improve the quality of their lives each year by electing to receive a total hip replacement.
Beginning in the summer of 2013, we began to perform these procedures for some qualified patients in an outpatient setting at our Campbell Clinic surgery center facilities located in Germantown and Midtown.
Who needs total hip replacement?
Patients who experience significant pain, limited range of motion or an inability to perform basic tasks as a result of these symptoms because of wear and tear in their hip joint are candidates for joint replacement surgery. If hip pain is chronic and does not resolve, even at night, or the patient is unable to move the leg to walk, bend over or lift the leg, he or she might consider this option. Patients typically elect to pursue conservative treatment methods such as anti-inflammatory medication or physical therapy prior to surgery. Some patients are unable to find relief using these less-invasive options. There is no definitive age, weight or impairment level that dictates who might be a candidate for surgery. Your physician will work with you to understand your condition and seek the best possible course of care.
What happens during a hip replacement?
During a total hip replacement (or total hip arthroplasty, as it is sometimes called), a physician will remove the damaged femoral head and replace it with a metal stem that is then inserted into a hollow area of the femur. An artificial ball will then be placed on the top of the stem. The ball is typically made of metal or ceramic material. An artificial socket will also be inserted after the damaged cartilage is removed. Along with other components, these pieces will fit together perfectly to form the new ball and socket in your hip joint.
Anterior hip replacement or posterior hip replacement?
Posterior hip replacement, a more traditional approach, involves a surgical incision along the outer buttock and provides access to the joint through the muscles on the back side of the lower pelvis.
Hip replacement using an anterior surgical approach may not be suitable for all patients, but for those with limited comorbidities and who are not significantly overweight, it can be a successful alternative. It allows for a slightly smaller incision and accesses the joint through the front side of the patient’s hip.
Campbell Clinic offers physicians who practice both approaches – both in the outpatient setting as well as in the hospital. After a thorough evaluation of your medical records, imaging and a physical examination by your physician, we can recommend which approach may best suit your particular needs. Whether you ultimately choose the anterior or posterior method, you can be certain you’re being cared for by some of the world’s most qualified and experienced total joint surgeons.
Both methods, anterior and posterior, are widely used elsewhere in the country, but outpatient joint replacement in a surgery center setting is new to Memphis and is a true benefit for some patients who may want to get back to life sooner and who meet the outlined necessary health guidelines. Learn more about outpatient total joint replacement.
Video Assets
Additional Hip Replacement FAQs
The average age for a hip replacement is between 60-70 years old for both men and women.
Typically, patients undergo spinal anesthesia with sedation for the surgery though some require general anesthesia. Campbell Clinic has protocols in place to ensure pain relief as well as to try to avoid nausea. A physical therapist will assist in your mobilization and performance of the exercises you have learned during your Prehab training. By the time you leave our outpatient surgery center, you must be able to walk 200 feet, get in and out of a chair and climb any stairs necessary to be safe in your home. You will have a waterproof bandage in place allowing showering 1-2 days following surgery. You will have clearly written out postoperative instructions and telephone numbers to allow you to communicate to our on-call physician if needed. Most patients go home the same day.
The hip replacements from the Campbell Clinic last approximately 20 years, but it also depends on the patient and how the patient lives their life.
After your hip replacement surgery, you will be assigned home recovery and follow-up care instructions as well as outpatient physical therapy. Six weeks after surgery, you will have a follow-up visit with your surgeon to make sure your hip is healing properly. If recovery is progressing well, most people resume at least some version of their normal activities by this time. Further recovery with improving strength will often occur for six to 12 months.
Campbell Clinic has the best hip replacement surgeons including Dr. Marcus Ford, Dr. John Crockarell, Dr. Marc Mihalko, Dr. James Guyton, Dr. James Harkess, and Dr. Gregory Dabov.
For appointments call
901-759-3111