Anterior Surgical Approach

The anterior surgical approach allows the surgeon to access the diseased hip joint through the front of the hip. A major advantage of this approach is that it allows your doctor to work through natural intervals between the muscles around your hip, without having to cut through the muscles or detach them from the pelvis or thighbone. Another advantage is that the patient can avoid the pain of sitting on the incision site since the anterior approach is performed through the front of the hip.

Potential benefits:
• Reduced post-op pain
• Reduced blood loss
• Shorter healing time
• Reduced chance of dislocation
• More accurate control of leg length; limp goes away faster
• Quicker return to normal activities

In addition, the anterior approach takes advantage of the shortest distance to your hip joint, which may allow for a smaller incision.

Why aren’t all hip replacements performed through the anterior approach?
Anterior approach hip surgery requires implants and surgical instruments that are compatible with the approach. I will consider a wide variety of factors in determining the best course of treatment.