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Hip Replacement Surgery Specialist

Ugo  Ihekweazu, MD, FAAOS -  - Hip and Knee Replacement & Orthopedic Surgeon

Ugo Ihekweazu, MD, FAAOS

Board-Certified Hip and Knee Replacement & Orthopedic Surgeon

Your hips play no small role in your ability to move around freely, so when problems develop in this active joint, and all other treatment options have failed, a total hip replacement may be your best option. Thanks to modern, minimally invasive surgical techniques, Ugo Ihekweazu, MD, is able to get his Houston area patients back on their feet with minimal recovery time. To determine if a hip replacement is right for you, call the office or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment.

Hip Replacement Surgery Q&A

Why would I need a hip replacement?

Your hip is a large ball-and-socket joint that’s responsible for the support of your body and bears most of the burden when it comes to your mobility. Because a day can hardly go by without using your hips, they endure a fair amount of wear and tear, which can begin to make itself known, rather painfully, as you get older.

Far and away the main reason people seek hip replacement is due to degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis. With arthritis, the cartilage that covers the surface of your bones has deteriorated, allowing the rough surface of bones to rub together, which causes inflammation and pain. 

What is a hip replacement?

During a hip replacement procedure, the orthopedic surgeon does the following:

  • Removes your damaged cartilage and bones
  • Prepares your femur for the ball component
  • Fits the ball component into place in your femur
  • Cleans out your socket and places the artificial socket


Ultimately, the purpose behind the procedure is to replace the entire ball-and-socket joint with an artificial one that allows you full mobility and range of motion, minus the pain and inflammation.


What types of hip replacement surgeries are offered?

Dr. Ihekweazu performs two types of hip replacement surgeries:


Posterior

The more common of the two procedures, a posterior approach is when Dr. Ihekweazu replaces your hip joint through an incision made along the side of your hip. This allows him a clear view of your joint and easy access to the hip. During his surgical training, Dr. Ihekweazu perfected a new contemporary “mini-posterior” approach. With this new mini-posterior technique, the capsule, muscles and soft tissues are restored to their anatomic position, so his patients are able to have a rapid recovery with excellent long-term results.

Anterior

The anterior surgical approach is another entry point to the hip.  By entering your hip joint from the front, the surgeon doesn’t have to dissect through muscles and works in between them instead. This approach may be beneficial for some patients depending on their build, muscular make-up and bone structure. Like the mini-posterior technique, the anterior approach is also minimally invasive and therefore allows for a rapid recovery.

To learn more about minimally invasive hip replacement surgery, call Dr. Ihekweazu, or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment.