Anterior Hip Replacement

An anterior hip replacement refers to a specific surgical approach taken while performing hip replacement surgery. A hip replacement can be performed from behind the hip, from the side of the hip, or from the front of the hip. Anterior hip replacement refers to surgeries done from in front of the hip. These surgeries may also be called mini, modified, minimally invasive, or muscle-sparing surgeries.

An orthopedic surgeon does hip replacement surgery to replace a damaged hip joint with a new ball and socket made of metal, plastic, or ceramic.

Using the anterior approach may allow your surgeon to do the surgery through a smaller surgical cut (incision). The cut is in the front of the hip rather than in the side or back, like in traditional hip replacements.

 

[ANTERIOR HIP REPLACEMENT IMAGE]

 

Having your surgery done this way is associated with certain advantages.  We do not have to cut through any muscles.  Instead, the muscles are gently separated from each other and naturally return to their normal place afterward.

In the short term, an anterior approach to hip replacement can reduce post-operative pain and improve your return to normal function.  In the long term, the outcomes of all hip replacement approaches are the same.

Many patients with an anterior hip replacement will be able to go home the same day as their surgery.  For complete details about outpatient hip replacement, check out THIS article.

Surgeons providing anterior hip replacement

Dr. Steven Pancio