French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo has just acquired the Hana, a hip replacement table that allows a much less invasive way to approach hip surgery.

Known as  "Anterior Hip Replacement," this technique allows the surgeon to reach and replace the damaged hip joint from the front of the hip, as opposed to the side or back of the hip.

This means that the hip can be replaced using the natural interval between the muscles, versus having to disturb the gluteal muscles that attach to the pelvis and femur.

"In layman’s terms, the result is that patients can bend their hip freely and bear full weight almost immediately following surgery,” said Orthopedic Surgeon James Lawler, MD. "Anterior hip replacement means a smaller incision, faster recovery, reduced pain, and much more rapid return to normal activities than with conventional hip replacement surgery."  

First performed in Europe in 1947, the procedure and the equipment, including the Hana table, have been perfected.

The public is invited to attend one of two lectures by local physicians who are now performing these new anterior hip replacements.

The first lecture on Wednesday, May 5 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. will be presented by Dr. James Lawler.

The second lecture on the same topic will be held Monday, June 1 from 5:30 to 7 pm, and will be presented by Dr. Daniel Woods. Both lectures will be held in the hospital Auditorium and a free buffet dinner will be provided. 

Already a national leader of excellence in joint replacements and orthopedics, French Hosptial was ranked among the top 10 percent in the nation for joint replacement in 2010, and has received a five-star rating in knee replacement for the past eight years from HealthGrades®.

Visit www.frenchmedicalcenter.org for more information.