Superpath hip replacement

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I need a hip replacement.  My sister in Australia is in the same situation and is having a superpath hip replacement shortly.  Do you know any hospital in the UK carrying out such a method?  

2

Hi Rachel, I googled this as I had never heard of the process. I had the so called traditional method last July and was walking next day abiet with a frame but still walking.  I expect only as a private patient.

Regards

Arthur

Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the link as it was to the American site for Superpath which users can find using Google.

3

Hi Rachel,

no I don't but I would love to know what a superpath thr is please

hope you find out

love 

Lynne

4

Hi Lynne

I understand that it is less intensive hip replacement ie the incision is just 3 cm and less tendons and no muscles are cut.  The recovery is therefore quicker - perhaps just 6 weeks.  I think this method is only done in Australia and the US.  Rachel

5

Thanks Rachel.

6

I only know of a handful of doctors in the USA are doing this, but I do not trust this method. It has been said that the view of the hip joint is not as good. I also know one person who had this procedure done and it was great until sometime afterwards it failed suddenly utterly so completely that she could not walk without someone helping her. She was forced to quit her job and move in with her mother. I have no further details, but I recommend researching this newest procedure very well.

Best of luck to you!

Dawn, USA

7

Sorry Rachel, I forgot to mention how it is done. They go in from the buttock area and push aside the gluteus maximus to get to the joint. The opposite of anterior approach which is going in through the front.

8

Funnily enough I was only asking my surgeon about this on Monday,and he said he didn't know of anybody here in the UK performing this method of THR.

Also that it isn't that 'super' as whatever method undertaken you  still have to make an incision,so it's only a question of what size incision..and that its a much more technical operation,not fas yet fully proven and increases the risks of something going wrong..that's from a surgeon working at Wrightington where the first ever THR was pioneered and performed by Sir John  Charnley back in the sixties I think.

After saying that it could be one for the future.

9

Hi Rachel my name is Mark and I live in Sydney and on 30/12/14 had a THR of my right hip. It was done under the superpathhip method which in my opinion is the only way to go.  Let me explain I was operated on at 1.30pm and by 7 that night was up walking unaided and discharged 10.30am next day. Have never needed any aid to walk and only Panadol for pain. They don't cut muscles etc hence op is easier to get over. Just had 6week follow up Dr very happy. Your sister is on the right path. My Dr said no one in UK is doing this op. Anyway all the best for your up coming op. I am quite happy to talk to your sister if she wants to know anything about the superpathhip   Op

10

Hi Mark.

As you say this method is untried here in the UK..but from what you say the results sound impressive..I wonder why the UK are lagging so far behind?

Ive just had a 2nd THR using the posterior approach,and 6 days on am in a fair bit of pain and still need 2 crutches even in the house.

11

Forgot to say I seemed to recover a bit quicker from the 1st op, but this time I'm a bit older..Personally I would like to see some longer term outcomes before opting for th e super path.

Then again advances in surgery have to start somewhere,but not on me 

12

I had mine done at the Horder Centre in Crowborough UK by Dr Hugh Apthorp on the NHS. He does do the low invasive method (same as superpath I think); no cutting in to muscles etc, only 10 cm scar and walking out of the hospital in 2.days.  Iam walking now after 4 weeks without any support, do spinn bike, elliptical and uphill treadmill walking without any painkillers.

Just give his name a google.

​Good luck

13

Thanks Koos - will do.

14

Hi Rachel re your sisters THR by the superpathhip method she can find out more about the op by viewing the American Dr Jimmy Chow Superhip web site which is very informative and also there are a lot of patients reviews. He has been using this method for 6 yrs or so. He pioneered this procedure and the Sydney surgeon Dr Sol Qurashi studied with him and brought the superpathhip method to Australia. Anyway trust you both end up with successful ops whichever method you both choose

Regards Mark from Aus

15

Thanks Mark.  I have forwarded the info to my sister.

Best wishes

Rachel

16

HI rachel, just found you post by accident. i had superpath left thr by Mr Micheal Cronin at rugby st cross ( under Proffessor Griffin at university hospital coventry and warwickshire) One of only very few doing op in uk at this time. I am 4 weeks post op and very happy:

17

Ps. My scar is about 3 inches plus a small "hole" next to it about 1/4 inch diameter leaving small scar, it is just below the point you would put your hand on your hip more st the dide than in buttock. You tube has a great vid showing the op. I was in theatre 4.30pm mon on ward 8:30pm after ga (no sickness ) slept sound till 6:30 am ( normally they get you up after 4 hrs but they let me sleep cause im special:D or they didnt have staff to help me) . At first couldnt move leg but by 10:30 was up and about with walker, two crutches by lunchtime, home wed evening, one crutch by thursday , static bike by two weeks , gym class phisio ay three weeks . Four weeks now still get tired and achy , it is still major surgery. Can walk unaided short distances but only slowly so as to not limp at all, with crutch faster than I've walked for years physio says in a year or so ( op only been in uk a year) the hip precautions will be removed from superpath patients as capsule around joint remains intact ( hip cant dislocate, which is other aspect of procedure, they don't have to dislocate the joint).i have ceramic ball and socket and surgeon expects it to last 20+ years ! I hope so :D

All the best jay. Msg me if any questions

18

Hi Rachel,

I am very glad for you that you got a super path THR. I am looking for a surgent in Europe anywhere. Do you know if this op is available now in the hospital where you had it done or it was a special occasion (a demo)? Thanks

 

19

Hi Rachel again,

I made a mistake, this previous message was supposed to go to Jason42777. I am sorry.

20

Hi Mark thanks for your post I just found it, I am also having SuperPath Total Hip replacement in 3 weeks in Sydney Aus, I have thoroughly researched THR and cannot go past the lack of post surgical precautions and quicker recovery ...so thanks for the positive post as it appears alot of people don't know much about this type of surgery so its nice to read a positive review :-)