Just days after orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Louis performed Direct Anterior Approach hip replacement surgery on Alicia Montejano, 55, of Bolingbrook, she walked up and down her stairs at home six times in a row. And, four weeks after surgery, she was back to her physically demanding job as a massage therapist which requires her to stand on her feet for long periods and carry a heavy massage table.
“Before my hip replacement surgery, walking and sitting hurt. It was too hard to even go to the store,” Alicia explains. “Now, I’m working comfortably, riding a stationary bike for exercise and feel like I have a whole new life.”
Alicia rebounded so quickly because the Direct Anterior Approach allows the surgeon to reach the hip joint from the front of the hip, as opposed to the side or posterior in traditional hip replacement surgery. This allows the hip to be replaced without detaching muscle from the pelvis or femur. Consequently, the important gluteal muscles, which play a key role in hip function, are less affected than with traditional hip replacement surgery. Dr. Louis has performed over 250 successful Direct Anterior Approach procedures on Chicago area patients.
“Alicia was a perfect candidate for this new procedure because she was in pain and wanted to get back to her active lifestyle as quickly as possible,” Dr. Louis explains. “This less-invasive approach is much easier on the patient because there is less tissue and muscle damage involved in the surgery.”
Alicia clearly had no time for hip pain. She was busy working three part time jobs.
When her hip pain got very bad last year, she took the recommendation of several friends and contacted Dr. Louis who performs his surgeries at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove and now trains other Hinsdale Orthopaedic surgeons in this technique. She enjoyed his casual manner, sense of humor and felt comfortable asking him questions. Dr. Louis diagnosed “bone-on-bone” osteoarthritis and worked with Alicia on different therapies, including ibuprofen and physical therapy. When her pain persisted, they discussed the Direct Anterior Approach to hip replacement procedure.
Post-surgery, Alicia has exceeded all of her recovery goals. She continues to feel great and enjoys the same, active lifestyle she enjoyed before her hip pain began.
Free Informational Seminar
Dr. Steven Louis of Hinsdale Orthopaedics is hosting a free seminar for patients to learn more about the Direct Anterior Approach to hip replacement surgery on Tuesday, October 25, 7 pm in the Taylor Room, Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Drive in Bolingbrook. To register, please call 1.630.986.8749. This event is free and open to the public.
For more information on Dr. Steven Louis and to download a free brochure on the Direct Anterior Approach to hip replacement, visit http://www.anterior-hip-surgery.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DrLouisDirectAntApproach.pdf.
