For the first time in Israel: New surgery for anterior approach of the hip joint (Resurfacing THR) replaces the traditional hip replacement surgery and significantly shortens the recovery time, reduces the percentage of infections and does not damage the muscles in the area.
Hip replacement surgery is one of the most common surgeries in Israel and around the world.
Every year 6,000 such surgeries are performed.
The surgery is performed on people who suffer from severe hip damage, which causes pain, swelling and reduced movement in the joints, to the point of limiting daily activity.
The innovative surgery was performed at Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh) by Dr. Yaron Bar-Ziv, director of the joint replacement service in the orthopedics department. In the surgery, Dr. Bar-Ziv replaced only the worn joint surface with a thin metal implant.
"Because it involves anterior hip replacement, the surgery does not involve cutting and cutting muscles, so recovery from it is less painful and much faster. This is also one of the reasons why this surgery is offered to people who engage in high-intensity sports, or are physically active in their work," says Dr. Bar Ziv.
The first patient in the country is Igor Kochetkov.
For Kochetkov, who works in aircraft cleaning at El Al, this is a second hip replacement surgery, with the first being done in the traditional approach.
"I started suffering from pain at the age of 44," he says.
Kochetkov was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, degenerative changes of joints, especially the hip joint, and the treatment offered to him was hip replacement surgery.
"For 6 years I tried all sorts of other things - painkillers, swimming, cycling. I was in denial and did not want to undergo such surgery at my age."
With the outbreak of the corona, Kochetkov went to the hospital and then decided to undergo the first operation: "After the operation, I did not understand why I had been waiting so long.
I stopped suffering from pain and was able to fall asleep without taking painkillers, "he says," I was sure I got rid of the problem.
After a few months of recovery I went back to work and then I started to feel pain in my other leg.
This time I was not ready to endure 6 years. "
"Dr. Bar-Ziv recommended that Kochetkov undergo the surgery with the new approach, due to his young age and the fact that he works physically." Dr. Bar-Ziv said that rehabilitation would be much faster, so I decided to go for it, "says Kochetkov. "I returned to full function half the time in the second operation. After a month and a half I was back to work, compared to 3 months in the previous operation. In addition, in the second operation I was released the next day, and within a few days I got rid of the crutches I used for two weeks after the first operation. Significantly smaller. "
Another significant difference that Kochetkov points to is the feeling in the joint: "In the leg that underwent the first operation, I still have pain in certain movements. In the second leg, I do not feel any limitation."
Dr. Bar-Ziv explains that "In the method of resurfacing, we expect the natural joint, and do not replace the joint, so this is the result most similar to the original.
In this approach the soft tissues adapt to the joint more easily, and the chance of returning to a normal feeling is greater.
In addition, the decision to perform the surgery in an anterior approach prevents muscle damage, and allows for immediate repair if necessary.
"Compared to surgery in the posterior approach, it is a surgery that is more difficult for the surgeon, but easier for the patient."
Kochetkov concludes: "I regained consciousness. Before the operation I felt 70 years old, I could not do many actions. Now I sleep without pain, can lift things, can bend - I am no longer limited. It is a completely different world."
One of the famous patients who underwent the surgery is Wimbledon-winning tennis player, British Andy Murray.
Marie, who underwent surgery at the age of 30, informed his pre-surgery fans that he would probably not return to play.
A few months after the surgery, Marie returned to full athletic activity and returned to competing professionally.
Today (as of March 2022) it is ranked 88th in the world.
Another well-known patient is Floyd Landis, an American cyclist who won the Tour de France.
Landis underwent the surgery after winning the famous race, and he too returned to professional sporting activities.
In addition, other athletes around the world have enjoyed the benefits of surgery, including NBA basketball players.
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