February 16, 2004

Local Surgeon First to Offer Leading-Edge Procedure

            New Castle, PA – Michael J. Larkin, M.D. is at the leading edge of orthopedic surgery.  Dr. Larkin is the first orthopedic surgeon in the New Castle community to offer a new type of surgery to patients receiving hip implants.  Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) is an exciting development that is less intrusive to the patient, can reduce scarring and may contribute to a quicker recovery. 

            MIS has revolutionized procedures such as gallbladder removal, hernia repair, and cardiac bypass surgery.  Dr. Larkin is dedicated to bringing these surgical advances to orthopedics. 

Hip arthritis is a disabling condition that commonly affects patients over the age of 60.  In a healthy hip, the movement of bending, straightening or rotating is absorbed

by cartilage, allowing the hip ball to move freely in the socket. Over time, the cartilage can wear away or become damaged, causing the bones to rub against each other.

Today, there is a new total hip replacement procedure intended to help make it possible for those suffering from hip arthritis to regain some of their lifestyle. The Mini-incision for Zimmer Total Hip Replacement utilizes an incision 4-5 inches in length—approximately one third the length of a traditional incision, which is generally10-12 inches in length.

“Patients who have minimally invasive surgery tend to feel better about their body image and the impact of the surgery,” said Dr. Larkin.

            Minimally invasive surgery requires special surgical instrumentation and a highly skilled surgeon.  Dr. Larkin is an experienced surgeon who has performed approximately eight joint replacement surgeries since September 2003 using this new technique, which was presented to the Orthopedic Society in May 2003.  The surgical technique was developed in conjunction with Dr. Larry Dorr, Medical Director Arthritis Institute, Centinela Hospital Medical Center, California whose techniques Dr.Larkin was very familiar with and used for many years. 

        Results vary from person to person (due to factors such as weight, bone structure, and adherence to postoperative rehabilitation). The minimally invasive technique may offer significant advantages over traditional hip replacement, such as:

§         Smaller incision and scar — 4 to 5 inches, instead of the 10 to 12-inch standard incision

§         Shorter hospital stay

§         Faster rehabilitation

These benefits may allow a faster return to work and daily activities.   The new technique is not for everyone. Candidacy for the procedure is based on several anatomical factors that must be assessed by your orthopedic surgeon, including extent and pattern of arthritis and bone structure. People with the following factors typically are not candidates for this procedure:

§         Obesity

§         Recent history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

§         Unstable medical conditions that may lead to a higher risk of complications

§         Prior hip replacement surgery on the same hip

            “Minimally invasive surgery is the future of medicine,” said Dr. Larkin,  “I am proud to be the first surgeon in the area to bring this exciting trend to orthopedics.  By using this new, specialized instrumentation, I am able to perform this procedure through a 4-5 inch incision.  This is a significant technical advance over the 10 – 12 inch incision required for the standard total hip replacement surgery.”

Dr. Larkin is presently working in conjunction with Sudhir Daftary, M.D., Anesthesiologist at Jameson Hospital, on improved protocol for pain management. 

Patients will have less pain after spinals and epidurals.  There is no pain 12-14 hours after surgery.  Stronger oral pain meds enable patients to move about quickly which will result in less nausea, trauma and sleeplessness.  With these protocols, they are able to respond better and quicker.

Mary Haas, a New Castle resident, is an 87-year-old patient of Dr. Larkin’s who

had MIS hip replacement surgery on October 16, 2003.  Mary said she could barely walk

and had a lot of pain before the surgery.  Now she is pain-free after the surgery.  Mary said, “This new procedure is much easier to heal.  Dr. Larkin did the right hip using the old procedure and it took forever to heal.  My muscles are back in shape, the incision is shorter and I’m getting around without a walker or cane.  Not bad for an old woman.” 

Dr. Larkin is a member of the active Medical Staff of the Jameson Hospital since 1982 and maintains a private medical practice at the Medical Arts Building, 2602 Wilmington Road, New Castle, Pennsylvania.  Dr. Larkin attended the University of Padua, School of Medicine in Padua, Italy and Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He served his internship in general surgery and his residency in orthopedic surgery at Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The American Board of Orthopedic Surgery certifies Dr. Larkin.

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