New hip and knee replacement methods get you back on your feet sooner

More than a million people undergo hip and knee replacement surgery each year. Though these procedures have become common, they are not all created equal. Your surgeon’s technique and the technology they use play a major role in how you’ll feel in the days and weeks after your procedure.

At Inova, we use advanced joint replacement methods that lead to less pain and a shorter, easier recovery. Most patients are walking within hours after surgery, go home the same day and get back to their lives quicker than they thought possible.

Syed Ali S. Adil, MD, explains how hip and knee replacement at Inova is on the leading edge of care, and how we’re changing lives for the better.

Robotic-assisted total knee replacements: less invasive, less pain

You may have heard of robotic-assisted surgery in other areas of medicine, such as gallbladder removal or hernia repair. However, the surgical robot also offers important advantages for knee replacement.

“Robotic-assisted total knee replacement offers a higher degree of precision with a less invasive approach than previous methods,” explains Dr. Adil. “With traditional knee replacements, a rod is inserted into the femur for guiding bone cuts, which is more invasive. With robotic technology, we create a detailed CT scan of your knee that we use during surgery. This scan allows us to customize the procedure to your anatomy without a rod.”

And because the robotic instruments are so slim and precise, surgeons can use smaller incisions that are less likely to affect your surrounding nerves and tissues. “A robotic knee replacement allows for less cutting of your soft tissue,” Dr. Adil adds. “With 3D planning, we customize your knee replacement to your anatomy, so extra releases and adjustments are often not needed. These factors mean you may have less pain and get back to your activities sooner.”

After robotic total knee replacement, you’ll likely be walking, the same day as your surgery. “Most of our patients go home the same day,” he says.

Is robotic-assisted partial knee replacement right for you?

If you have arthritis in just one or two compartments of the knee, you might be a candidate for a partial knee replacement. This surgery preserves the healthy compartments of your knee, which makes the joint feel more natural. You also have less pain and a shorter recovery.

“Partial knee replacement can offer significant pain relief with a less invasive procedure,” says Dr. Adil. “You keep your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) intact, which helps with knee stabilization and control when you move.”

Robotic-assisted partial knee replacement takes these benefits a step further. “Using the surgical robot offers the highest degree of precision for placing the implant,” explains Dr. Adil. “We can provide optimal alignment of the joint with a smaller incision, so you feel less pain immediately after surgery and throughout your recovery.”

Despite its benefits, partial knee replacement isn’t for everyone. “We need to be sure that other parts of your knee are healthy before moving forward with this surgery,” says Dr Adil. “If there’s a risk that the pain could spread to other parts of your knee, a total knee replacement may be a better option. We determine the best procedure for you by carefully examining your knee and taking detailed images before recommending surgery.”

Direct anterior hip replacement: sparing your muscles

Traditional hip replacement surgery, known as a posterior hip replacement, involves making an incision through the gluteal muscles at the back of your hip. These muscles are large and take weeks to heal, resulting in a longer recovery period.

“Posterior hip replacement has a higher risk of a hip dislocation,” explains Dr. Adil. “A dislocation is a serious complication that requires urgent treatment.”

In contrast, a direct anterior hip replacement accesses your hip from the front, avoiding incisions through any major muscles. “We use an approach that gently separates muscles, rather than cutting through them,” says Dr. Adil. “Patients have an easier recovery with less pain and a significantly lower risk of dislocation.”

Dr. Adil uses real-time X-rays to view the hip joint during surgery. “The detailed imaging gives me a clear ‘map’ of the hip without disturbing your muscles and surrounding structures,” he explains. “I use these live images to place the new hip with a high level of precision. The images also allow me to select the perfect size and shape for your unique anatomy, so you have the most natural and comfortable feel.”

In fact, after a direct anterior hip replacement, most people don’t need the “hip precautions” that are required with traditional hip replacement. “Hip precautions involve using assistive devices like a dressing stick, and you have to avoid certain motions like bending your hip past 90 degrees,” Dr. Adil says. “With the direct anterior approach, these precautions usually aren’t necessary. In most cases, you are up and walking soon after surgery, go home that day and don’t need physical therapy.”

Don’t let joint pain hold you back

Today’s hip and knee replacements have many advantages over the procedures of previous generations. You no longer have days in the hospital, and the recovery looks completely different.

“Most of our patients can start gentle exercises at home almost immediately,” says Dr. Adil. “We provide detailed instructions to help you regain strength and mobility, and our team is always here to support you throughout your recovery.”

Ultimately, Dr. Adil says, hip and knee replacement is about helping people live their healthiest lives. “Joint pain can significantly affect your physical and mental well-being, but it doesn’t have to,” he says. “And what’s even better is that these new methods can get you back to your activities faster than you ever thought possible.”  

Learn more about Dr. Adil and the joint replacement program at Inova or call to book an appointment 571-472-6464.