James B. Kyle MD

Direct Anterior Hip Replacement

A patient might need a hip replacement due to severe arthritis that does not respond to nonsurgical treatment or a fracture. For these patients, a hip replacement can provide significant pain relief and improved hip function, which leads to better quality of life overall.
Dr. James B. Kyle is a board certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in hip and knee replacement from Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. A native of Welsh, LA, Dr. Kyle began his career as a veterinarian before going back to school to complete a medical degree and fellowship training to help patients with chronic hip and knee pain. Dr. Kyle is trained in the latest techniques and approaches to hip replacement surgery, including direct anterior hip replacement.

Candidates for Hip Replacement Surgery

Dr. Kyle will only recommend hip replacement surgery if he feels a patient will truly benefit from it. In most cases, those that will benefit the most will be patients with significant arthritis damage in the hip or a severe hip fracture. Patients with mild to moderate hip arthritis can be managed effectively with nonsurgical treatment options .

Candidates for hip replacement surgery typically meet the following criteria:

• Severe hip pain is present and does not improve with nonsurgical treatments like physical therapy, assistive devices, anti-inflammatory medications, and injections.
• Hip pain interferes with everyday life, making some tasks difficult or nearly impossible
• Hip pain that interferes with your ability to get a good night’s sleep
• Severe stiffness in the hip that limits range of motion

In cases of hip fractures, hip replacement may be considered instead of pins and screws for large, displaced hip fractures involving the ball portion of the hip.

Direct Anterior Hip Replacement Procedure

During a hip replacement, Dr. Kyle removes the damaged bone and cartilage from the hip and replaces them with implants. There are a few different approaches that a surgeon might use to get to the hip joint that vary based on the location of the incision. Dr. Kyle prefers the direct anterior approach because patients tend to be up and walking sooner after surgery as compared to other approaches.

Traditionally, hip replacement has been done through a posterior approach, with the incision located at the back of the hip. With the direct anterior approach, the incision is located at the front of the hip. With the direct anterior approach, patients tend to experience a quicker recovery with less pain within the first six weeks after surgery as compared to the traditional posterior approach.

Recovering from Direct Anterior Hip Replacement

Dr. Kyle gives all of his patients a comprehensive guide prior to hip replacement surgery. This guide details what patients need to do to prepare before surgery, what to expect after surgery, and what guidelines patients need to follow after surgery.

Preparing for your hip replacement?
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Following direct anterior hip replacement, patients typically stay at the hospital overnight, so most are able to return home the following day. Exercise is a very important part of the recovery process, and direct anterior hip replacement allows patients to get up and move on their own with less pain as much as 4-6 weeks faster than other hip replacement patients. Formal physical therapy isn't typically needed after hip replacement. If needed, Dr. Kyle’s office will arrange for you to work with our physical therapy team to learn exercises to improve range of motion and strength in the new hip.

Prior preparation is also key to a patient’s recovery. Though direct anterior hip replacement patients may recover more quickly, they will still need assistance to get around in the initial recovery period. Dr. Kyle’s guide includes instructions on how to prepare your home for your recovery. Patients will not be cleared to drive until they are no longer taking narcotic pain medications and can ambulate without an assistive device, so it is also important to arrange for transportation to and from followup appointments.

Complication risks are low after a hip replacement, but you will be educated on how to spot warning signs of infections and blood clots so that they can be attended to quickly if they develop. Proper wound care is critical to minimizing risks, so it is important to follow all wound care instructions exactly as given.

Most patients are able to participate in normal, light activity within 6 weeks of surgery, but typically continue to see improvement up to a year after surgery.

Direct Anterior Hip Replacement in Lafayette, LA

Dr. James Kyle is a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacements, including direct anterior hip replacement. Dr. Kyle completed his training at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, one of the top hospitals in the country. Dr. Kyle only recommends hip replacement surgery when he feels the patient will truly benefit, and uses less invasive techniques like the direct anterior approach whenever possible to make the recovery process easier on his patients. If you would like to learn more about direct anterior hip replacement or schedule an appointment with Dr. Kyle, please call our office at 337-235-8007 or fill out our contact form.