Chronic hip pain can decrease your mobility, happiness, and independence, turning simple activities like walking, bending, or even putting on a sock into a painful ordeal. If you’ve reached a point where conservative treatments are no longer enough, you may be considering a total hip replacement.
At Boston Orthopaedic & Spine, we’re committed to not just alleviating pain, but to maximizing your long-term function. That commitment is exemplified by the work of board-certified orthopedic surgeon Daniel Mascarenhas, MD, and his expertise in customized, robotic-assisted hip replacement surgery right here in the greater Boston area.
What is a Hip Replacement?
In the simplest terms, the hip is a fundamental ball-and-socket joint where the pelvis meets the thigh bone (femur). When the cartilage that cushions this articulation wears out due to arthritis, injury, or other conditions, the friction causes severe pain and dysfunction.
“A hip replacement is a procedure where we change that damaged joint to a replacement joint in order to eliminate the hip pain and dysfunction that people experience,” explains Dr. Mascarenhas. “The goal of the surgery is to reduce pain and to maximize function, to get people back to those activities that they want and need to do.”
Daniel C. Mascarenhas, MD
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Am I a Candidate for Hip Replacement in the Boston Area?
Determining if a patient is a candidate for total joint replacement starts with confirming that the hip joint is truly the source of the patient’s problem, as pain can sometimes be referred from the spine, knee, or a muscle. A thorough evaluation from an orthopedic specialist at Boston Orthopaedic & Spine involves:
- A detailed discussion of your history and symptoms.
- A physical examination by your doctor.
- Imaging, such as X-rays or MRIs, to assess the joint’s condition.
The procedure is not limited by age. Dr. Mascarenhas sees a wide variety of patients, from those in their 30s to those in their 80s.
“Regardless of where you are in life, a hip replacement could be a good option for you,” he says. “The goals are always the same for everyone, no matter your age.”
The Advantage of Personalized Robotic-Assisted Hip Replacement Surgery
The field of joint replacement has dramatically advanced, moving toward highly personalized care. One of the most significant steps in this evolution is the use of enabling technologies like the Stryker Mako robot.
Dr. Mascarenhas utilizes the Mako system to customize the replacement to your unique anatomy. The process begins with a detailed radiological assessment (a CAT scan) of your hip.
“We use that information to plan out the surgery and personalize the procedure for each patient,” Dr. Mascarenhas notes.
During the operation, this pre-planned data is used to create a computer model of your hip. The surgeon then executes the plan using an assisted robotic arm, which helps place the new joint components with exceptional precision.
“What’s exciting about modern joint replacement technology is that you can restore a patient’s own anatomy and give them a hip that functions exactly how their hip was before they developed pain,” Dr. Mascarenhas affirms.
This technology offers orthopedic surgeons a bigger toolbox for taking care of patients and aims for the best possible outcome by restoring the patient’s native mechanics.
Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Approaches: Anterior vs. Posterior
Dr. Mascarenhas often employs the minimally invasive anterior approach for hip replacement. While different surgical approaches exist (anterior from the front, posterior from the side/back), the anterior method has shown distinct benefits in the immediate post-operative phase.
“Reliably, the studies and research have shown that patients probably have a little less pain and recover a little faster during the first six weeks after surgery with the minimally invasive anterior approach,” Dr. Mascarenhas explains.
Furthermore, the anterior approach is associated with a slightly lower risk of the hip dislocating. While outcomes tend to equalize after three months post-surgery, this initial advantage allows for a smoother, quicker start to recovery.
Dr. Mascarenhas often employs the minimally invasive anterior approach for hip replacement. While different surgical approaches exist (anterior from the front, posterior from the side/back), the anterior method has shown distinct benefits in the immediate post-operative phase.
“Reliably, the studies and research have shown that patients probably have a little less pain and recover a little faster during the first six weeks after surgery with the minimally invasive anterior approach,” Dr. Mascarenhas explains.
Furthermore, the anterior approach is associated with a slightly lower risk of the hip dislocating. While outcomes tend to equalize after three months post-surgery, this initial advantage allows for a smoother, quicker start to recovery.
Are you a candidate for hip replacement?
Hip Replacement Recovery Timeline
Outpatient Same-Day Joint Replacement: Due to advancements in surgical technology and techniques, hip replacement surgery has transformed from a week-long hospital stay followed by inpatient rehab to an outpatient surgical procedure in a calm, quiet environment, where patients go home the next day, or even the same day, following their surgery.
Early Mobility (First 4 Weeks): Patients typically walk with crutches or a walker for the first couple of weeks and may transition to a cane by the third week. Most are not using an assistive device by four weeks.
Intermediate Recovery (6 Weeks): At this point, most can manage the activities of daily living, such as grocery shopping and seeing friends.
Return to Activity (3 Months): Longer distance walking, hiking, cycling, and other recreational activities become possible around 3 months for most patients.
Hip Replacement in Boston, Waltham, and Cambridge
At Boston Orthopaedic & Spine, we believe in a collaborative approach to patient care. We partner with you, your care team, primary care physician, and physical therapy team to ensure you are taken care of in the weeks leading up to and following your surgery. With this support, patients can take on their recovery with confidence and peace of mind.
“It’s so common for myself and my team to hear patients saying, ‘I wish I’d done this two or three years sooner. I’m so grateful. I’m so happy how things have turned out.’ It’s extremely gratifying. We just love helping people get back to where they want to be,” Dr. Mascarenhas shares.
Choosing a personalized, robotic-assisted hip replacement with a specialist like Dr. Mascarenhas means choosing a path back to a life free from chronic pain, with maximal function and a faster return to the activities you love.
Boston Orthopaedic & Spine proudly serves the Boston, Cambridge, and Waltham communities. Patients in the greater Boston area considering a hip replacement can schedule a consultation with Dr. Mascarenhas at Boston Orthopaedic & Spine offices in Waltham and Cambridge.