I’ve needed left hip replacement since 2019, of course Covid hit and my expected wait time in my home City when I went back to see the osteo consultant last year was another is 4 years on the NHS.
So I went on the search to see what else was available as I’m fortunate to be able to go privately for my surgery: I kept coming back to Superpath. There are a very small number of surgeons doing this in the UK. It’s available privately and on NHS if you live in England. It’s a posterior entry surgery but done in a minimally invasive way (pulling muscles and tendons back rather than cutting them). Anterior also seeks to preserve muscle and tendons but the benefit for me of Superpath is should they need to revert to traditional posterior approach depending on what they find they could as part of the same surgery.
So Monday was my day, taken first thing, awake throughout as spinal used, up on crutches in the afternoon when anaesthetic wore off and up and down stairs by later afternoon. Wow. If I’d lived locally (I had to travel as this method is not available where I live) then I’d have been home that evening. 6cm incision and a puncture.
Stayed in a hotel last night and about to travel a 6 hour journey home. I imagine that will not be comfortable but lots of stopping and moving will be needed.
I’m hopeful as no muscle and tendons cut I’ll have an easier recovery but that remains to be seen. I’m still expecting a couple of weeks of discomfort.
I realise it’s not possible for everyone to select their method and surgeon but for those who can I wanted to share this lesser known approach.
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MummyLuv
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Well done and I wish you a speedy recovery! Would you please give us an update from time to time? I am also on the waiting list for a double hip replacement so I am highly interested in this new method but I cannot afford it privately. Is it really done on the NHS as well? What are the criteria? Take care my love and get well soon xx 🥰 Lol Bea
This is quite a comprehensive article on the SuperPath method of hip replacement. I suppose the one thing that worried me was the possibility of nerve problems. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
Hi piglette, that’s a good report, I read a few before going ahead. There’s a good one on superpath vs anterior which was what I narrowed my choice down to. All hip replacements have risks. Dislocation, muscle, tendon damage etc. they all have infection risk. For me it was finding someone experienced if I was going to go for a lessor known method. The surgeon who did mine is doing multiple superpath a week so I was in good hands.
I agree, I think the most important thing is to have a good surgeon with a good record of ops. I think most surgeons are worried about infection. I was taking steroids for both my hip ops and my surgeon was paranoid about them, as they affect your auto immune system.
Doing great, off crutches at home, using one when I am out for safety as don’t want to trip. I am amazed on day 9! I’m only doing light physio, I start properly at end of week3, I’ll need that to get my full range of motion back I think.
I am useless with crutches. I abandoned them at the front door when I got home and furniture surfed in the house and used a stick outside. Exercise is important and also ensure you don't limp.
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