From an article by Jennifer Beverly about
Dr. Patrick Denton & Dr. Christopher Walsh
McLeod Orthopaedics

“I am in agony over my right hip,” retiree Dannie McLellan told McLeod Orthopedic Specialist Dr. Patrick Denton. “The pain is unbearable and to a point where  I can barely walk.”

Dr. Denton referred McLellan to Dr. Christopher Walsh, another member of the large McLeod Orthopedics team because she was looking for a surgeon, who performed the anterior approach to hip replacement.

“A friend of mine needed a hip replacement and opted for the  direct anterior approach over the more common posterior approach,” said McLellan. “She recovered quickly, and the pain disappeared almost immediately.”

“Dannie’s imaging results showed severe osteoarthritis in her right hip causing the joint cartilage to deteriorate,” said Dr. Walsh. “She lost all range of motion, and her thigh bone rubbed against the hip socket causing terrible pain and discomfort.”

THE ANTERIOR APPROACH
During the less-invasive direct anterior approach, the surgeon positions a patient on their back and makes a small incision at the front of the hip, working between the muscles with minimal to no cutting to insert a new hip joint. This procedure offers eligible patients less muscle damage, reduced post-operative pain, decreased risk of hip dislocation, a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery.

Before her surgery, Dannie attended the Total Joint Program at McLeod Health Seacoast, which educates patients on what to expect during surgery and their stay at McLeod Health, as well as rehabilitation and recovery.

Dannie returned home to Darlington the next day and continued rehabilitation with McLeod Home Health. During her two-week follow up with Dr. Walsh, Dannie showed off her progress by picking up her walker and walking across the room.

“I am finally learning the sport of pickleball and playing multiple times a week,” said Dannie.

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
In addition to Dr. Walsh, many of the McLeod Orthopedic specialists can now perform the anterior approach to hip replacement.

Find an Orthopedic Specialist near you.