Innovative New Method of Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Surgery Now Available Close to Home

PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 8, 2004—Arthritic-hip-pain sufferers in the Philadelphia area now have a less invasive alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery. The new, minimally invasive methods allow for smaller incisions, resulting in less blood loss during surgery, smaller scars, shorter hospital stays and faster, less painful rehabilitation. One of the few doctors in the area who uses the new methods, Orthopaedic Specialist John T. Williams Jr. performs minimally invasive hip surgery at Albert Einstein Medical Center, located at 5501 Old York Road in Philadelphia, and MossRehab/Einstein at Elkins Park, located at 60 East Township Line Road in Elkins Park.

“The new, minimally invasive techniques allow patients with hip replacements to leave the hospital within two days instead of staying the three to five days required by traditional surgical methods,” reports Dr. Williams. “Rehabilitation goes more quickly as well. Many of my patients have been back to their daily activities in weeks, instead of months.”

The shorter hospital stays and rehabilitation times result from the much shorter incisions used in the new surgery and the fact that less – and in some cases, no – muscle is cut. “We used to make 10-to-12-inch incisions when replacing hips. With the new method, we make 1 ½- to-3 ½- inch incisions,” says Dr. Williams.

For more information about minimally invasive hip replacement surgery, or to make an appointment with Dr. Williams, call 1-800-EINSTEIN or visit www.einstein.edu on the web.

Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, a member of the Jefferson Health System, provides healthcare services through Albert Einstein Medical Center, Germantown Community Health Services, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), MossRehab/Einstein at Elkins Park, MossRehab at Tabor Road, Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), Belmont Behavioral Health and a number of outpatient and satellite locations. Einstein also operates a primary care network, Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare.

Publish date: April 8, 2004