Anterior Approach Hip Replacement -- “Tom Watson’s Surgery” -- Comes to San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco, CA February 15, 2010
Few techniques have been as successful in modern surgery than the total hip replacement procedure. It has been unsurpassed in restoring function to hip joints afflicted with arthritis. It has allowed generations of patients afflicted with incapacitating hip pain to regain function and lead fuller, more active lives. Recent advancements in technique and technology have shown promise in improving the recovery rate and reducing some complications seen with this technique.
The technique is called the Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty. It was a relatively unknown technique practiced by relatively few orthopedic surgeons in North America until golfer Tom Watson made a historic run in the 2009 British Open only eight months after Anterior Approach Hip Replacement. Thanks to the newest addition to the Sports, Orthopedic and Rehabilitation (S.O.A.R.) medical group, this procedure is now available to residents of San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Nicholas H. Mast, MD is the newest member to S.O.A.R.’s San Francisco office. Thanks to the anterior hip replacement, Dr. Mast can have patients back on their feet the same day as their surgery. Unlike other hip replacement surgeries, the anterior method allows orthopedic surgeons access to the hip without detaching or cutting through muscle. Dr. Mast feels that patients not only recover quicker, but have less post-surgery complications such as hip dislocation. Dr. Mast states that “by the use of live X-ray in surgery, I have incredible control of implant position” which he equates with better long-term function of the prosthesis. “In general, the recovery rate is half what I see with standard joint replacement,”
Dr. Mast gained his experience under Dr. Joel Matta, whom Dr. Mast calls one of the “founding fathers” of anterior approach hip replacement in North America. While spending a year in a trauma fellowship under Dr. Matta, Dr. Mast learned the technique by participating in nearly 200 procedures. It was this experience that inspired him to travel to Europe to work where the technique originated. While in Europe, he spent time working on the anterior approach hip replacement as well of techniques of joint preservation.
“While the anterior hip replacement is good, the ‘holy grail’ for me is to find a way to prevent the need for hip replacement in the first place. No replacement can surpass the function of the healthy human hip,” says Dr. Mast.
Dr. Nicholas H. Mast credits his team of physicians, therapists, nurses, and medical assistants with his outcomes. “A successful joint replacement procedure is not possible without teamwork,” he states. Teamwork was an important factor influenced his decision to join S.O.A.R. Dr. Mast bases his practice in the San Francisco and Redwood City locations. Dr. Mast’s senior partner, Michael Dillingham MD, says, “Dr. Mast brings a very high level of hip expertise and technical ability that we are honored to have as part of our group.”
For patients deciding upon a surgeon to perform this technique, Dr. Mast recommends choosing a surgeon with experience with the procedure. The procedure “has a significant learning curve,” says Dr. Mast. A patient should ask how many procedures a surgeon has performed and with what results.
For more information about Dr. Mast or his team, or to schedule an appointment call Glenda Castro (650) 995-1288 or visit the website of S.O.A.R. at www.soarmedical.com
