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Pinpointing Your Pain

Determining the cause of your hip pain can be quite the mystery; one which Dr. Peter Ameglio is determined to solve at Ameglio Orthopedics. When you have gone through multiple treatments and are facing surgery, you’ll need to be sure that the procedure will actually resolve the pain.

Even though some patients undergo successful hip replacement surgery, they may still experience pain. Dr. Ameglio has discovered that the sacroiliac joint (SI) can be the cause of this pain for many patients.

Sacroiliac Joint Inflammation

The SI joint is located where the lower spine and pelvis connect, and can mimic symptoms of hip arthritis. Supporting the entire spine, the SI joint functions as a shock absorber for the sacrum and pelvis – but as we age, it can become stiff and less ambulatory.

If you are experiencing lower back and hip pain, but still have a great range of motion, you may be a good candidate for an SI issue. Surgery is not always the answer, as Dr. Ameglio views it as a last resort. At Ameglio Orthopedics, there are many treatment options available to help keep you out of the operating room.

Seeking Help for Hip Pain

When Bob Zekanoski began experiencing pain in his hip that would not go away, he knew he needed to seek medical help. Despite having an active lifestyle, the pain increased to a point where he didn’t even enjoy walking anymore.

After trying physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications, Bob was still in pain and decided it was time to consider hip replacement surgery. After doing some research, he discovered the SuperPATH^® hip replacement and found there was a surgeon in the area who was proficient in the technique: Dr. Peter Ameglio.

Faster Recovery with Superior Hip Surgery

Dr. Ameglio is only 1 of 6 surgeons trained in the State of Florida to perform the SuperPATH^® technique, and is the only surgeon implementing it in Southwest Florida. Unlike traditional hip replacement surgery, SuperPATH^® doesn’t require hip dislocation, which allows for patients to recover more quickly.

This was the answer Bob was looking for. Not only was he concerned about missing work, he did not have the support needed for an extended recovery at home. Thanks to the SuperPATH^® technique, Bob was able to start physical therapy immediately after surgery and only needed to use a walker for nine days. After two weeks, he was even able to ride his stationary bike again.

Superior Approach to Hip Replacement Surgery

The SuperPATH^® technique was developed in 2003 by Dr. Stephen Murphy at New England Baptist Hospital and results in less injury to the patient. Traditional hip replacements require hip dislocation and larger incisions, causing further injury to the joint capsule and muscles, which leads to a longer recovery with extra precautions. Although the SuperPATH^® approach is not easier for the surgeon to perform, it is considerably easier for the patient, as it does not require the hip to be dislocated which allows for a faster recovery.

The iFuse SI joint surgery also offers a quick recovery with less pain. This procedure involves only a 2-inch incision and three titanium implants, compared to a typical SI joint fusion surgery, which includes a combination of removing cartilage, bone grafting, screws and more.

Although hip pain may commonly be caused by arthritis, it can also be a sign of sacroiliac joint dysfunction, or sacroiliitis, which can often be resolved with SI joint injections. With similar symptoms, such as groin and thigh pain, it’s easy for the diagnosis to be missed, leaving patients in chronic pain, even after back or hip surgery.

When treating patients, rather than immediately opting for surgery, Dr. Ameglio will first offer non-invasive options. If physical therapy, chiropractic, or other non-invasive treatments won’t provide relief, injections are considered next. In some cases, surgery may be required to relieve chronic pain, however it is always the last resort.

Dr. Ameglio will always go above and beyond when it comes to treating a patient. He is dedicated to finding a resolution to their pain and appreciates the opportunity to improve their quality of life.

Significant Benefits for Patients

Ferdinand had minimal discomfort following surgery and was off of pain meds before he left the hospital.

SuperPATH isn’t easier to perform for the surgeon, but the benefits to the patients are significant including: