Washington, DC - Pam O'Bryant has never been one to live life from the sidelines. Soccer, jogging, yoga, weightlifting-- even a marathon in 2000. But over the years, the 46-year-old Northern Virginia resident became increasingly frustrated as chronic hip pain interfered with daily activities and the athletic activities she enjoyed.

Years of therapy failed to bring relief and choosing hip replacement surgery loomed large as an option."I refused to be confined to the couch," O'Bryant says. "So I did some research and found out about the anterior hip replacement approach."

A Faster Recovery Time
O'Bryant was encouraged by what she learned about the minimally invasive surgical procedure, in which approaching the hip from the front of the leg allows less disturbance of muscle as compared to traditional hip replacements, which are performed from the side or the back of the leg. "It just made sense for me," she says. "Cutting less muscle means faster recovery time."

She also was encouraged by the fact that Inova is recognized nationally as a leader in orthopedics and minimally invasive surgery. More than 160 physicians perform nearly 4,000 joint replacements and advanced orthopedic surgical procedures each year at Inova, more than any other healthcare provider in the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., metro area.

In making her choice for anterior hip replacement, she consulted with William Hamilton, MD, at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, home to one of only four programs in Virginia to receive a Gold Seal for orthopedic excellence from The Joint Commission, the independent accrediting agency that oversees more than 16,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the U.S. "He explained
the process thoroughly, and I felt confident that this was the way to go," she remembers.

Less Trauma
Approaching the hip from the front of the leg allows the surgeon to go in between the muscles, inserting the implant without disturbing or cutting them. "Our goal with the anterior approach is to replace the hip with less trauma to the body, less post-operative pain, fewer complications such as dislocation, and more normal hip function after surgery as a result," Dr. Hamilton explains.

Dr. Hamilton uses a specially designed Hana table to position the leg correctly during surgery. He and his team underwent extensive training to develop specialized expertise in the approach, and are achieving very positive results and outcomes for their patients. "My patients certainly seem to have a much faster return to function," Dr. Hamilton says. "Many go home the day after surgery, and most are walking without a cane within a couple of weeks."

"I Feel Like I Can Do Anything"
O'Bryant's anterior hip replacement surgery was May 28, 2009, and that
night she got out of bed and took steps. "I was discharged from the
hospital the day after surgery. There are 16 steps up to my apartment door, and I walked right up them." Within three weeks, Pam was back at work, driving and walking distances of up to one mile. She is working her way back up to regular routines of yoga and weightlifting, and is even planning her training for a half-marathon or triathlon. And, she's added a new sport -- kayaking -- since her hip surgery. "I feel like I can do anything," she says.

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