ANTERIOR APPROACH TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT (AA-THR)
Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement
Hip replacement surgery is performed when the hip joint has reached a point when painful symptoms can no longer be controlled with non-operative treatments. In a 
hip replacement procedure, your surgeon removes the damaged joint surface and replaces it with an artificial implant. The traditional, or posterior hip replacement approach requires surgeons to cut muscles and other soft tissue at the back of the hip to access the hip joint.
Anterior-Approach Total Hip Replacement (AA-THR) surgery is an example of how the medical field is continually evolving and trying to improve outcomes for patients. Proponents of anterior hip replacement surgery believe it offers several advantages, including:
Less damage to major muscles. The AA-THR avoids cutting major muscles. There are fewer muscles at the front of the hip, and the surgeon works between them, rather than cutting through muscle fibers or detaching muscles from bones.
Faster recovery. After surgery, a patient can bend at the hip and bear weight as soon as it is comfortable. Most anterior hip replacement patients can use crutches or a walker sooner than patients who have had a traditional surgery.
Less post-operative pain. Because the surgery does not require cutting major muscles, patients typically experience less pain after surgery and require less pain medication, and coupled with the use of Exparel and/or Iovera treatments, low- or no-Opiod post-surgical pain control is possible.
Decreased risk of hip dislocation. Anterior hip replacement surgery does not disturb the muscles and soft tissue structures that naturally prevent the hip from dislocating, therefore anterior surgical patients are less likely to suffer a hip dislocation.
Better range of movement. Patients may bend over or sit with their legs crossed without risking hip dislocations. Most traditional hip replacement patients are told to avoid sitting with legs crossed for at least 6 to 8 weeks following surgery
Go Home Sooner. A patient who undergoes anterior hip replacement can typically expect a shorter stay than with a traditional approach.
Sandra Juarez’s Results
“Dr. Manning totally replaced my hip using the less invasive anterior approach. Just twelve hours after my surgery, I was walking stairs during physical therapy. I even went home the next morning. Best of all, my recovery was not as painful as I had anticipated. I wholeheartedly recommend and personally vouch for the integrity, skill, and professionalism of Dr. Manning and the entire SGSC staff.”
– Sandy J.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON. The Anterior Approach Hip Replacement surgery is a technically demanding surgery. Surgeons face a steep learning curve for this procedure, so choosing a surgeon that is skilled and has long and successful record in the Traditional and the Anterior Approach is an important consideration.
Dr. Michael Manning, owner of Novatio Orthopedics of St. George, has successfully performed over 1,000 Anterior Hip Replacements, and 800 traditional Posterior Hip replacements. Dr. Manning has also completed over 1,500 Total Knee Replacements. In addition, he is highly trained in Total Shoulder replacements and has extensive experience in orthopedic sports medicine as well as orthopedic trauma surgeries. Dr. Manning utilizes Computer Navigation Assisted surgery on Total Hip and Total Knee Replacements, and encourages the use of Low- or No-Opiod pain control treatments such as Exparel and Iovera.
State-of-the-Art AA-THR Equipment – Hana Table
SGSC is committed to Patient Safety and the best possibly surgical outcomes, so investing in cutting-edge instrumentation and technology is a high priority. To facilitate the best Anterior Approach Hip surgery outcomes, SGSC has invested in a HANA Table.
The Hana® is a state of the art fracture table that optimizes the Anterior Approach to Total Hip Replacement (AA-THR). It’s unique patient positioning capabilities enable the surgeon to replace the hip through a single incision, Anterior Approach without detachment of muscle from the pelvis or femur.
The Hana® table allows for safe extension, external rotation of the leg, incorporating the patented support system enhancing hip exposure for improved component placement – a positioning option not possible with conventional surgery tables.
SGSC is the only Ambulatory Surgical Center in Southern Utah that uses a Hana Table.