Long Island Surgeon Treats 1,000 Patients with Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Surgery

LONG ISLAND, NY: For more than 30 years, Paul Enker, MD, of Long Island Arthritis & Joint Replacement, has been restoring the mobility of locals through innovative and compassionate orthopaedic care. Last month, he treated his 1,000th patient with a new minimally invasive surgical technique called the direct anterior approach for hip replacement.

“It is truly humbling that so many patients trusted me to return them to the lifestyle they once enjoyed,” Dr. Enker said. “I am thrilled that I was able to provide this state-of-the-art procedure that demonstrates an accelerated recovery.”

Eight years ago, Dr. Enker pioneered the direct anterior approach in the Long Island area. Dr. Enker, one of the country’s earliest adopters, wanted to provide his patients with another surgical option that helped ease the healing process after a hip replacement.

“For more than 40 years, the gold standard for hip replacement was the posterior approach, which went through the buttock muscles to reach the hip joint. While it was a successful surgery, patients had a longer recovery time and many post-surgery restrictions,” he said.

In the direct anterior approach, a small incision is made at the front of the hip. The surgeon can then manipulate the muscles to gain access to the joint through the use of a specialized table and instruments. This eliminates the need to cut important muscles around the hip joint, which provide the most power for walking and hip stability.

Recipients of the direct anterior approach can expect fewer postoperative restrictions compared to a traditional hip replacement, such as a pillow between the legs, high toilet seats and limited sleeping positions. They also typically experience a quicker recovery time, reduced pain, greater accuracy in leg lengths and implant positioning, and shorter hospital stays.

Dr. Enker is affiliated with St. Francis Hospital and Syosset Hospital.

To learn more about the direct anterior approach, click here.