Chapter 701

Mar 17, 2026

hip

double the pleasure

My surgeon Dr Fletcher who did my left hip replacement 10 years ago would have done my right one 5 years ago but I tried the conservative approach with a lot of physical activity. It was functional during the last 5 years with intermittent pain and dysfunction but it wasn't killing me. This last year it has been inhibiting my movement significantly.  Should have pulled the trigger earlier but always hoping against hope.

By the time I did contact Fletcher's office this year, he had retired. By chance a neighbor and a couple other friends had used Dr Roberts, so I was able to get an appointment with him. He's highly regarded in this field. Dr Jared Roberts at the Bone & Joint Center was the first to perform the anterior hip replacement with use of the Hana table at Albany Med in 2011. Although young, he taught my Dr Fletcher who did my left hip in 2015. In fact Roberts is in the photo I used for that chapter. 

The procedure is outpatient. Dr Roberts was the first to accomplish that in the Capital District in  2018. I'll be in their Malta facility in the morning and out in the afternoon to recover at home. In 2015 I was ready to go home the day of the operation. They kept me overnight (against my will) so they could wake me up every hour for useless things.

Dr Roberts of the Bone & Joint Center has used the Johnson & Johnson's DePuy Synthesis ACTIS and PINNACLE Acetabular Hip System.  Hunter Mt ski patrolman Ernie had great success with  Roberts in 2018 documented here. DePuy ranks among the top hip replacement  companys in the world.

I chose the  Center Advanced Ambulatory Surgery in nearby Malta. Went into the Operating Room at 9am and discharged home by 12:30pm. Had IV , a spinal nerve block and was wheeled in on a regular operating room table. The PA's and Nurses started attaching leg holdings to manipulate my legs as they gave me anesthesia thru a mask as I passed out. Had expected to see a vertical incision but was surprised that I had the bikini cut incision. It has apparently become more popular in the last few years. A good presentation of the procedure by JB & JS.  Another link to 11 videos covering the Direct Anterior Hip Arthroplasty Bikini-Style Incision . A Carolina  presentation  of the pros and cons of bikini.

DePuy ACTIS web page. superceded Pinnacle . So cool. Note the variable triple taper technology for short and long term stability. item #101012120 size 12 high offset Also the medial collar option to promote immediate weight bearing and reduce potential of subsidence. The Duo Fix HA coating allows for biological fixation with the femur bone.

EMPHASYS Acetabular Solution   Shell #471060300 three hole 60mm. Liner #472254036  54mm. supersedes the PINNACLE technology using a titanium cup with GRIPTION coating, and polythylene cup liner.

DePuy ceramic head choice.  36mm ball #?

Anot