A 2020 TOP DOC Dr. Paul Lucas, Director of The Vascular Center at Mercy, leads a clinical team providing diagnosis and treatment for circulatory problems, including aneurysm, stroke, swelling of the leg and blockages.
Mercy doctors offer a breakthrough treatment for hepatitis C that cures most patients and saves lives. Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus and can lead to permanent liver damage if untreated.
The Vascular Center at Mercy provides vascular surgeons who treat conditions including aneurysm, stroke, swelling of the legs and vein blockages.
Mercy offers emergency care on the Downtown Baltimore campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (410-332-9477) with access to a trained emergency medicine team, diagnostic services and consultations with specialists.
In case of an Emergency, Dial 911 and follow the instructions of the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) team.
Mercy Medical Center's downtown campus includes our Main Hospital - The Mary Catherine Bunting Center, McAuley Plaza and The Weinberg Center.
General visiting hours at Mercy are 11:00 am to 8:30 pm. Hours vary by floor, please check with the nursing staff or call 410-332-9555.
A minimally invasive, direct anterior total hip replacement (THR) of the right hip is usually done when severe damage from arthritis or injury has made it difficult to perform daily activities without severe pain or restricted range of motion.
At Orthopedics and Joint Replacement at Mercy, Joseph Ciotola, M.D., Marc W. Hungerford, M.D., Kamala Littleton, M.D., and Philip Neubauer, R.Ph., M.D., are among a very exclusive group of orthopedic surgeons nationwide offering anterior approach hip replacement surgery. Mercy's orthopedic surgeons are leaders in performing anterior hip surgeries in Maryland.
The anterior approach to hip replacement is an innovative, minimally-invasive approach to hip replacement that typically provides a faster recovery, less restrictions and less pain compared to traditional hip replacement surgery.
Anterior approach hip replacement surgery is an advanced surgical technique in which an incision is made in the front of the hip rather than the side or back of the hip, as is done with traditional hip surgery. The anterior approach involves only a 4-5 inch incision, which allows for less disruption to muscles and tissues of the leg, while traditional hip replacement surgery involves a 10-12 inch incision.
The anterior approach enables the surgeon to work through the natural interval between muscles without the need to cut the muscle tissue, which typically results in a smoother, faster recovery.
Anterior hip replacement surgery is performed on a custom designed operating table called a hana® arthroplasty table. Designed exclusively for hip and knee patients, the hana® table has the capability to minimize trauma to muscles and tissue by allowing for precise placement of the leg not available with conventional tables. One leg is extended downward to allow access to the surgical site in such a way that muscles do not have to be cut.
Additionally, the table allows for X-ray imaging during the surgery for precise placement of the hip implant.
The rehabilitation period following the anterior approach hip replacement is reduced compared to a traditional hip replacement. For many patients, anterior approach hip recovery will range between two and eight weeks as opposed to traditional hip surgery which requires a two to four month recovery period.
The reason anterior approach hip replacement requires less of a need for intense therapy is because muscles and tissues are undisturbed. Patients typically are able to walk stairs and no longer need to use a walker or cane prior to being discharged from the hospital.
At Mercy, patients who receive a hip replacement participate in The Joint Journey, a program dedicated to joint replacement education and rehabilitation.
Following anterior hip replacement, patients typically can:
Patients often enjoy the benefits of anterior approach hip replacement, which include:
Anterior hip replacements are an alternative option for most patients in need of a primary hip replacement. Our orthopedic surgeons at Mercy work with each patient to determine if the anterior approach to hip replacement is the best treatment option.
An avid golfer seeks out Mercy doctors twice to get a hip replacement and now he is healthy and back on the greens.
A woman returns to her active lifestyle after an anterior approach hip replacement at Mercy Medical Center.
Mercy patient Linda explains the struggles she endured prior to hip surgery and the new life she encountered after getting her new hip through an advanced, minimally invasive hip replacement procedure.
Dr. Joseph Ciotola is a top rated hip, knee and shoulder surgeon. His expertise in anterior hip replacement makes him one of the most sought-after orthopedic surgeons in the Baltimore region for hip replacement.
A Mercy patient tells of her experience with a total knee replacement - one that went so well she later returned to Mercy to have the other knee replaced as well.