Santa Monica, Calif., April 7, 2009 –Renowned golfer Tom Watson’s hip was so painful that he could not sleep, let alone play competitively on an 18-hole course. The winner of eight major championships, Watson had a severely limited range of motion and he knew his game was jeopardized. It was time for hip surgery.
“I studied a variety of surgeons and techniques. I wanted to know about complication rates, recovery time and how well the anatomy was put back together,” Watson said. “I decided on total replacement rather than hip resurfacing. Then I sought the best surgeon. After a lot of due diligence, I selected Dr. Joel Matta.”
Dr. Matta is the founder and Medical Director of Saint John’s Hip and Pelvis Institute. He also is one of the world’s leading anterior approach hip replacement surgeons. He has performed more than 1,800 primary anterior approach hip surgeries and trains physicians around the world on the anterior approach.
The anterior approach lets the surgeon reach the hip joint from the front of the body instead of from the back or side and with a 3-inch to 4-inch incision. This allows the hip to be replaced without detachment of muscles from the pelvis or thigh bone (femur) during surgery.
Watson concluded that the anterior approach had a number of advantages over other hip replacement techniques. His research determined the anterior approach is the least invasive, allows for faster recovery times, provides maximum range of motion and reduces risk of complications such as hip dislocation. More and more Americans needing hip replacement surgery are turning to surgeons who use the anterior approach. Saint John’s Health Center is arguably the leading center for anterior approach hip surgery.
“The anterior approach is a dramatic improvement in hip surgery that helps people get back on their feet faster, without restrictions,” Dr. Matta said. “It improves patient satisfaction and health, and saves money by shortening hospitalization, reducing the need for rehabilitation and reducing the risk of future complications.”
Watson’s experience was everything he expected. He left the hospital and boarded a plane back to his home in Kansas City with only a cane the day after surgery. A week later he walked without the cane. He put the hip to the test two months later by hitting 200 consecutive balls and experienced “no issues.” Within four months, he was back on the senior professional golf circuit.
Dr. Matta said the success of the surgery is enhanced by using a special table with robotic function that he developed with a surgical equipment company. The HANATM table holds and turns the patient and lower extremity precisely as needed, giving the surgeon better access and limiting soft tissue trauma.
“The special table, supine patient position and X-ray checks during surgery combine to ensure that both the position of the components and leg length will be correct, which are critical to normal hip function,” Dr. Matta said. “As surgeons, we need to assure that the muscles around the hip aren’t disturbed, the parts are fitted and oriented properly, and that the leg length is correct.”
Tom Watson agrees. “Hip rotation drives the golf swing and the anterior approach is the way to go for hip replacement surgery,” he said.