Hi Pat,
Thanks again for the links to the information. I read it and can assure you that I will be checking out all this information since as you know, surgical techniques are constantly changing. In the recent article I have excerpted below, it appears that Dr Bal and Dr Matta think they have found a better techinique. Whether they have or not of course only time will tell however I will do my best to find out what I can about their new minimally invasive approach in the coming months. Note that they mentioned at the end of the article that eventually they hope to develop it to the point of being a same day surgery. Wouldn't that be great
? (-: If anyone knows any more about this new technique or has talked to either of the Doctors about it, please let me know.
Here is the article:
The new technique developed by Dr Bal and Dr Matta is the first of its kind in the United States and allows hip resurfacing through a small incision that spares muscles and tendons, and conserves bone. In addition, instead of using a high-tech guidance system to position implants, Bal has developed a simple and reliable method to achieve perfect component alignment each time the procedure is performed.
“Minimally invasive hip resurfacing is a new concept,” said Bal. “In conjunction with Dr. Matta, we have developed a brand-new technique here at University of Missouri Health Care. This is a new operation that minimizes soft tissue trauma, and for the first time allows the precise placement of implant components during hip resurfacing through a much less invasive method.”
Bal and his colleagues are able to properly align the joint before surgery by placing a small pin through a tiny hole in the hip joint. The perfect positioning of the pin is then verified through an X-ray. A small incision approximately three to four inches long in the front, or anterior, part of the thigh allows the surgeon access to the ball of the femur in between the muscles. In standard hip resurfacing, the muscles must be cut or detached to accomplish the same result.
“Component placement during hip resurfacing is critical for proper mobility and the longevity of the new joint,” said Bal. “Our technique is a simple, fail-safe method that removes all high-tech guidance systems from the equation and allows for perfect alignment every time.”
Traditional hip resurfacing procedures require a 10-to-12 inch-long cut on the side of the thigh to enter the hip joint so that the surgeon can resurface the ball of the femur and the cup-shaped socket of the pelvic bone. This operation is a popular alternative to hip replacement and may be useful for younger and active patients.
With his new approach, Bal is able to spare all hip muscles and tendons, make a smaller incision, reduce blood loss and dramatically improve recovery.
“Patient recovery with minimally invasive hip resurfacing is substantially different and faster compared to the traditional technique,” said Bal. “The traditional method involves major trauma to the muscles and tendons, and the recovery is thereby prolonged. With minimally invasive hip resurfacing, we can avoid this trauma, reduce blood loss and accelerate recovery.”
Bal expects to continue the development of this new method of surgery to the point where hip resurfacing is a same-day operation, or at most will require only a one-day hospital stay.
Topic: Dr Joel Matta and Dr Sonny Bal (Read 5135 times)
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