The goal is 20 years or longer. This depends on many factors such as bearing surface, patient’s weight and activities.
The goal is 15 to 20 years based on weight and the type activities performed.
Yes, Dr. Stolarski does use the anterior approach; in fact he is a pioneer and physician educator for this type of procedure.
It will be about three to four inches in length or as long as necessary for safe placement of implants.
No muscles or tendon are cut at all.
He is trained in all orthopedic surgery but he is fellowship trained in adult reconstruction and specializes in hip and knee replacements and complex revisions.
Recovery means different things to different people. Many people go home the next day. Have therapy in their home for a couple weeks then may participate in outpatient therapy. Most people are off their cane at 2-4 weeks.
A Total knee replacement takes longer to recover because of the need to be aggressive to get the best range of motion. Therapy is often for 6 weeks.
That depends on many factors. A healthy person with no major medical problems usually go home the next day if they do well with physical therapy. You should be in the hospital no longer than three days.
Physical therapy is usually 2-5 days a week for 4-6 weeks or as long as needed for an excellent outcome.
Six weeks for low impact sports such as golf and twelve weeks for high impact sports such as tennis. But only return to these activities if everything feels good.
This depends on many factors such as type of surgery and the physical demands of the surgery. We have sent people back to work in a week and others have taken much longer.
Two to three weeks as long as you are no longer using a walker or taking narcotic pain medication and feel safe.
The bearing surface is individualized for each patient depending on many variables. It is a decision the patient and doctor make together. Options include metal on plastic, ceramic on plastic, ceramic on ceramic and metal on metal
Dr. Stolarski uses a bone graft from the head.
One of the benefits of the anterior approach is that leg length can be optimized during the surgery. The bottom line though is that if the leg being operated is shorter it should be able to be made equal, if the legs are equal or the leg having surgery is longer, it may be longer after your replacement. The joint has to be brought back to the level it was before the arthritis took away the cartilage.
The anterior approach provides more stability than other approaches therefore your legs have the best chance of being equal. There is no guess work with leg lengths with this approach.
Long distance running such as marathons will wear a total joint out faster than more reasonable forms of exercise. Gentle jogging, swimming biking and other lower impact exercises are best.
The main hindrance is driving. Two to three weeks is fine. If you do not have the means necessary for this then inpatient rehab could be an option for you.
It is preferred you don’t fly for two weeks so we can keep an eye on your incision.
Yes all forms of total joint replacements should take antibiotics prior to dental procedures. This helps prevent bacteria getting to your joint. The current recommendations are lifetime.
The anterior approach allows for a patient to sleep on their side when they are comfortable.
No. Bursitis is a separate issue and is not a reason to have a total joint replaced.
This can be done immediately after surgery but at the ankles only.
Yes it does take time to heal, but it should resolve.
A small percentage of anterior total hips will have a numb patch over their lateral thigh. It is usually temporary and not painful. Most resolve over the first year.
Surgical inflammation and swelling causes this feeling and will subside with time.
For a hip replacement you will be giving yourself a Lovenox injection for 4 weeks unless otherwise specified followed by two weeks of Aspirin (325 mg).For knee replacements you will be on two weeks of Lovenox injections followed by four weeks of aspirin(325 mg).
If you have an anterior approach hip replacement it is ok to bend over but if you have a revision or posterior approach please do not bend past ninety degrees and follow the other hip precautions.
Most people can eventually kneel. The incision has to be completely healed and you must have good range of motion. A small percentage of people are never comfortable kneeling.