New Type of Hip Surgery Used for Some Patients

Many seniors are faced with the need for hip replacement surgery at some point and these procedures generally require a long rehabilitation and recovery period. This article from The New York Times looks into a procedure called anterior hip replacement that is becoming more common. This procedure differs from traditional hip replacements in that it permits the surgeon to reach the hip socket without cutting through major muscle groups as the incision is made at the front of the hip instead of through the buttocks or the side of the hip. As a result, proponents of this approach claim that the recovery time can be much shorter for patients.

Of course, when dealing with major hip surgery, the recovery period will take time regardless of which procedure is selected. But for some patients the anterior hip replacement could present an interesting option. Many patients are interested in less invasive procedures and the Times article indicated that around 20% of hip replacements use this option. It’s also growing in popularity as more physicians learn the procedure.

Still, as with most medical issues, patients will get a variety of opinions from different doctors and every case is different. It’s important that you or your loved one consult with physicians you trust and choose what’s best in your situation. Every procedure has its own set of advantages and risks, but the option of a less invasive procedure will certainly appeal to some.

Either way, the recovery period is critical for every patient. Recovery time is generally 6 weeks though time can vary for each person. After you’ve done your research and selected the right doctor and procedure, it’s also important to plan for your post-operative or after-surgery care. Patients usually enter a rehabilitation facility for physical therapy and occupational therapy before being discharged to their homes. At this stage Whitsyms can help you or your loved one find the right caregiver to help during this period with bathing, dressing and many other daily necessities.

Call a Whitsyms Nursing Service patient care representative
at 1-877-382-6089 to find out more.+Whitsyms Nursing Registry - Whitsyms Nursing Service

They listened!

This week the US Senate Appropriations Committee took an important step to address the rapidly expanding Alzheimer's epidemic. Thanks in part to your advocacy, Senate leaders from both parties spoke to the importance of investing now to address the skyrocketing costs of this devastating disease.

On Tuesday the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies voted to include $104 million for Alzheimer's disease in its fiscal year 2014 funding bill. And earlier today the full Senate Appropriations Committee also voted to support this increased funding for essential research and caregiver support.

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the subcommittee and honoree at this year’s Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum, referred to Alzheimer’s disease research as a “crucial investment” that’s a priority “on both sides of the aisle.” The chairman urged swift consideration of the bill by the full Senate. His thoughts were echoed by other Senators including Ranking Member Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), chair of the full committee. There are currently more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease and that number is poised to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050. Caring for Alzheimer's, the country's most expensive disease, costs our nation $203 billion annually with projections to reach $1.2 trillion a year by 2050. Yet today, for every $27,000 Medicare and Medicaid spend on caring for individuals with Alzheimer's, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) spends only $100 on Alzheimer's research. Later this year the full U.S. Senate may have the opportunity to vote on this legislation. 


Please ask your Senators to support this crucial funding!