Henry Ford Joint Replacement Guide
Download our Joint Replacement Guide to learn more about our program.
We offer a proven hip replacement approach and the most advanced options available.
At the Henry Ford Center for Joint Replacement, we understand that living with constant hip pain can make getting around difficult and affect your quality of life. A hip replacement may be an option to help you get back to your active lifestyle.
We know that hip replacement surgery is a big decision. Before considering whether it’s the right choice for you, your Henry Ford orthopedic surgeon will conduct a full examination of your hip, testing for strength, stability and range of motion as well as a comprehensive review of your current health status.
There are risks and benefits to any hip replacement surgery, and not everyone is a candidate for all approaches. As part of your personalized treatment plan, your surgeon will discuss the option that provides you with the safest, most successful experience.
The ball-and-socket joint of your hip is the largest joint in your body. There are several conditions that can cause the cartilage in your hip joint to break down, resulting in friction and pain. These include:
Osteoarthritis: Often called ‘wear and tear’ arthritis, this condition involves the breakdown of cartilage in the hip joint over time, resulting in pain and stiffness
Rheumatoid arthritis: This autoimmune disorder is a chronic condition in which your body attacks and breaks down the lining of your joints.
Hip fracture: This type of injury may require hip replacement surgery if the joint already had damage from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteonecrosis: Also known as avascular necrosis, this disease reduces blood flow to your joints, causing them to break down. It often affects the hip joint.
The hip is like a room with doors on each side. Like the room, it can be accessed for replacement from many different directions. Historically, hip replacement was from the back, through the posterior approach, or from the side, through the lateral or anterior-lateral approaches. However, we offer newer hip replacement procedures, including:
The anterior approach accesses the hip joint from the front of the upper thigh, in an area where the body typically has less fat or muscle. This can potentially cause less tissue damage during hip replacement surgery.
There may be benefits to the anterior approach, which you can discuss with your surgeon during your consultation.
Potential benefits include:
The superior-based hip approach is a minimally invasive way to access the hip. It can limit muscle injury during surgery. An example is the Direct Superior approach, with an incision just above the thighbone that spares front muscles from stretch and damage.
Potential advantages of the superior approach:
The posterior hip approach is the most common hip approach for replacement. A minimally invasive technique called Mini-Posterior involves an incision just behind the thighbone that spares front muscles from stretch and damage.
Potential advantages of the mini-posterior approach:
Our surgeons offer both MAKO and ROSA robotic-assisted technology. MAKO is a robotic-arm assisted technology that will help your surgeon develop a personalized surgical plan based on your unique anatomy. Both MAKO and ROSA robotic technology use image-based guidance to plan and execute the surgery to customize it to your anatomy.
What are the advantages for me?
Download our Joint Replacement Guide to learn more about our program.
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