Bruce had been managing his avascular necrosis for years with pain medication. However, as his condition progressed to the final stage, his femoral head fused with his hip joint, causing stiffness and severe pain. Facing a wait time of at least a year for surgery in Australia, he decided to seek treatment in Vietnam.
Dr. Le Dinh Khoa, head of the Joint Reconstruction Department at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, explained that Bruce required a hip replacement to regain mobility. With only two weeks in Vietnam, a quick and effective surgery and recovery process was crucial.
Dr. Khoa opted for the minimally invasive ABMS approach. This technique, unlike traditional methods, doesn't involve cutting muscles. Instead, it involves carefully navigating between the gluteus medius and tensor fascia latae muscles to access the hip joint. After removing the damaged tissue and the deteriorated hip joint, the doctor implanted an artificial joint. This approach preserves the surrounding muscles, minimizing pain, blood loss, and recovery time, while also reducing the risk of dislocation and nerve damage. Specialized software, TraumaCad, aided in selecting the optimal joint configuration, ensuring natural movement post-surgery.
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Dr. Khoa performs hip replacement surgery. Photo: Hospital provided |
Dr. Khoa performs hip replacement surgery. Photo: Hospital provided
Bruce began personalized physical therapy the day after surgery to accelerate his recovery. Two weeks later, he returned home in good health and walking more quickly. According to Dr. Khoa, Bruce should be able to resume most daily activities, including squatting and crossing his legs.
Avascular necrosis of the femoral head occurs when the blood vessels supplying the bone cells in the hip joint are severed or compressed, leading to a lack of blood flow, oxygen, and eventual cell death. Non-surgical treatments only control and slow the disease's progression. In the final stage, surgery is the optimal solution for restoring mobility and preventing disability.
Dr. Khoa noted that hip replacement surgery for avascular necrosis has become a routine procedure in many Vietnamese hospitals, including Tam Anh General Hospital. In addition to the ABMS approach, other advanced, minimally invasive techniques such as the SuperPATH and direct anterior approach are also regularly performed. Patients typically recover quickly, often walking and being discharged within 1-2 days after surgery.
Phi Hong
