“Arthritis and the Anterior Hip Replacement” Topic of Sacred Heart Hospital Orthopedic Seminar Mar. 27

Community members are invited to participate in a free educational lunch and learn seminar titled "Arthritis and the Anterior Hip Replacement" on Wednesday, Mar. 27 at 11:30 a.m., hosted by Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast (SHHEC).
Dr. William Markowski, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Bluewater Orthopedics will lead the informational seminar. Dr. Markowski specializes in joint replacement; direct anterior hip replacement; hip, knee and shoulder arthroscopy; sports medicine; hand surgery and fracture care.
Improvements in techniques and technology have drastically improved the surgical outcome and quality of life for people undergoing hip replacement surgery. The anterior approach to hip replacement provides a surgeon the ability to relieve pain and restore function to patients whose joints have been destroyed by trauma or disease such as arthritis, and allows a return to daily living, walking, and a life with little to no pain.
With medical advancements and more specialized instruments, there is new research regarding surgical approaches to hip replacement, specifically the anterior approach (through the front of the hip) versus posterior (through the back of the hip) methods. The surgeon works between the muscles, with minimal or no muscle cutting, so it’s a natural separation that allows ready access to the hip joint. Of all the joints currently replaced in the human body, the hip joint has had the most success, the quickest recovery, and is the most durable, normally lasting 20 to 30 years.
“More than 327,000 people have total hip replacements performed in the United States each year. The advantage of using the anterior approach, is that the muscle dissection on the inside is “minimally invasive”, meaning less muscle cutting and proven accelerated recovery time for patients,” said Dr. Markowski.
Proponents of anterior hip replacement surgery believe it offers several benefits, including: Less damage to major muscles, less post-operative pain, faster recovery, and better range of movement.
The Joint Replacement Program at SHHEC has been recognized by a leading healthcare ratings organization as one of the nation’s best hospitals for orthopedic surgery for the past 5 years, awarded with national excellence awards for eight consecutive years, and recognized among the top 5% in the U.S. for overall orthopedic services.
 Lunch will be provided.