KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Hal Cates, M.D., orthopedic surgeon with Tennessee Orthopedic Clinics (TOC), is cutting edge when it comes to joint replacement surgery. Recently Dr. Cates began performing a new procedure called mini-incision total hip replacement. This new procedure allows patients to return to normal activities in half the time of traditional total hip replacement surgery.
“Arthritis of the hip is common among people over the age of 60,” said Dr. Cates. “It can become so severe that it no longer allows people to carry out daily activities.”
During hip replacement surgery, the arthritic hip is replaced with an artificial hip joint. Traditional total hip replacement surgery requires an incision measuring 8 to 10 inches, 6 to 8 weeks on crutches or a walker, and 3 to 4 months recovery time.
“This incision for this procedure is approximately one third the length of the traditional procedure,” said Dr. Cates. “Mini incision total hip replacement requires a 3 to 4 inch incision and allows patients to return to normal activities in 4 to 6 weeks.”
Depending on the bone type of the patient, this procedure uses either a cemented implant or a cementless implant. The cementless implant is used for more active patients with better bone quality, while the cemented implant is used with weak, osteoporotic bones.
According to Dr. Cates the benefits of this procedure include minimizing the amount of anesthesia needed, reduced blood loss and reduced amount of postoperative pain. It also decreases the trauma to the muscle and bone, as well as minimizing the risk of complications such as difficulty breathing, blood clots and wound health problems.
As with any procedure this surgery may not benefit every patient. Mini-incision total hip replacement is best performed on selective patients who are close to their ideal weight and are in relative good health.
TOC has several convenient locations to serve the orthopedic patients of East Tennessee. Offices are located at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center’s Trustees Tower; The Tower at Parkwest; at St. Mary’s Medical Center in The Tower; at 988 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge; at 1018 Highway 321 North in Lenoir City. SpineKnoxville, a regional center of excellence for back, spine and neck pain, is located at 10321 Kingston Pike. For more information about TOC, contact one of our offices or log on to our website at www.tocdocs.com.

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