A minimally invasive hip replacement may be a good choice for some younger patients who want to replace a damaged hip joint before the pain gets severe or they lose a lot of movement. At Tidewater Orthopaedics, Dr. Michael Higgins is an orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in total joint replacement. He helps patients from Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, and the greater Hampton Roads area of Virginia keep hip pain from getting in the way of an active life.
Tidewater Orthopaedics in Hampton Roads offers minimally invasive, muscle-sparing hip replacement surgery led by Dr. Michael Higgins. This approach uses smaller incisions to help reduce pain and scarring and can support a faster recovery. The team may also use computer-guided navigation to improve accuracy and implant materials designed to last. Care is provided in a specialized orthopaedic hospital with on-site rehab and strong hip replacement outcomes. Patients from Hampton, Newport News, and Williamsburg can learn more and schedule an appointment online.
Today, minimally invasive hip replacement techniques, including the muscle-sparing jiffy hip procedure, offer many advantages compared with older, traditional approaches. For example, our surgical methods may include:
Tidewater Orthopaedics also works with the Orthopaedic Hospital at Sentara CarePlex, with the goal of providing a hospital focused only on orthopaedic care.
For overall quality of care, the hospital ranks in the top five percent in the country and has been rated first in Virginia for hip replacement outcomes by Blue Cross Blue Shield.
The surgeons at Tidewater Orthopaedics believe that clear information matters when you are deciding whether to have surgery. If you would like to talk about minimally invasive hip replacement and other treatment options for hip pain in Hampton, Suffolk, and Williamsburg, VA, click the link below to connect with Dr. Michael Higgins and our team in Hampton Roads.
Question: What is a minimally invasive hip replacement, and how is it different at Tidewater Orthopaedics?
Short answer: A minimally invasive hip replacement uses smaller incisions and muscle-sparing techniquessuch as the jiffy hip procedure-to help reduce damage to the tissue around the hip. This can mean less pain and scarring and a faster recovery than traditional methods. The team may also use computer navigation during surgery and durable implant materials to improve accuracy and long-term results.
Question: Who may be a good candidate for this procedure?
Short answer: It may be an option for younger patients who want to replace a damaged joint before pain becomes severe or movement becomes limited. Patients from Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, and Suffolk who want to stay active can talk with the team to see what options fit their needs.
Question: Who performs the surgery?
Short answer: The procedure is led by Dr. Michael Higgins, an orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in total joint replacement. He and the Tidewater Orthopaedics team care for patients across Hampton Roads, including Hampton, Newport News, and Williamsburg.
Question: What technology and materials can help improve results?
Short answer: The team may use computer navigation and virtual tools that provide real-time feedback to help improve precision. Implants may also use highly crosslinked polyethylene, which is strengthened using electron beam radiation. In lab tests, this material has shown about one-eighth the wear of older plastics. These features are meant to help lower bone loss and improve long-term results.
Question: Where is the surgery performed, and what is special about the care setting?
Short answer: Tidewater Orthopaedics works with the Orthopaedic Hospital at Sentara CarePlex, a facility focused only on orthopaedic patients. Features include private rooms with walk-in showers, special dressings that allow many patients to shower on the second day after surgery, operating rooms designed for orthopaedic cases, specialized staff, on-site physical therapy with a full rehab gym, dedicated anesthesiology, an orthopaedic education program, and space for family members. The hospital ranks in the top five percent nationally for overall quality and is rated first in Virginia for hip replacement outcomes by Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Question: How can I learn more or schedule an appointment?
Short answer: You can learn more about minimally invasive hip replacement and other treatment options and schedule an appointment online with Dr. Michael Higgins and the Tidewater Orthopaedics team in Hampton Roads.