Local surgeon using new minimally invasive surgical approach for hip replacement
Edward Humbert, D.O., is one of the first surgeons south of Tampa to perform total hip replacement surgery utilizing the Anterior Supine Intermuscular hip replacement procedure. This procedure uses a shorter incision that avoids cutting muscles and tendons.
On March 16, John Wambaugh had the ASI hip replacement procedure. Through this less-invasive procedure, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Edward Humbert replaced Wambaugh’s right hip without cutting any muscles or tendons, naturally allowing a more rapid recovery.
“I can’t tell you the relief I’ve had and how dumb I feel for waiting as long as I did,” said Wambaugh, one week after surgery. “My quality of life, even being on a walker, my life’s better than it’s been in years,” says John.
The ASI minimally invasive hip replacement procedure is designed to reduce the trauma to the tissues surrounding the hip joint. By preserving the muscles and tendons, surgeons may enable their patients to walk the day of surgery and return to daily activities more quickly.
Unlike traditional minimally invasive hip replacement techniques, the ASI technique uses an incision at the front of the hip instead of the side or back of the hip. This modified incision placement allows surgeons to make a more direct approach to the hip joint, avoiding muscles and tendons that surgeons traditionally cut through to access the joint.
“This approach is truly the least invasive to the tissues around the hip,” said Dr. Humbert, who explains other methods may cut through the gluteus maximus muscle and four more muscles, increasing pain and extending recovery. “Although no surgery is non-invasive, this comes close with hip replacement. It’s one of the most successful surgeries of the last 50 years.”
Hundreds of thousands of people undergo THR every year in the United States. Many patients are not candidates for minimally invasive hip surgery due to obesity or other considerations.
With the ASI technique, a greater percentage of patients can be considered for the surgery. Hip replacement candidates should discuss with their surgeon what would be the best option for them.
Source: Lee Memorial Health System