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Anterior vs. Posterior Hip Replacement. What Do These Terms Mean?
Is hip pain getting in the way of your daily life? Is it hard to take your dog for a walk, mow the lawn, go to the store, or do other everyday things? If so, you might be one of the three-hundred and thirty thousand people in the United States who will need hip replacement surgery this year to relieve pain and improve mobility.
Total hip replacement surgery is considered one of the most valued developments in the history of orthopedics. The procedure relieves pain and restores mobility to people whose joints have been damaged by trauma or degenerative diseases such as hip arthritis.
Essentially, there are two hip replacement surgical approach options ANTERIOR – front of the hip and POSTERIOR – back of the hip. The two hip replacement approaches have the same goal: to replace the worn ends of bones in the hip joint and help you feel better. Both anterior and posterior approaches ultimately produce excellent outcomes.
The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center (OSMC) offers both approaches and has board-certified surgeons trained and experienced in these two different hip-replacement techniques.
What is Posterior Hip Replacement?
The posterior hip replacement approach has been the ‘standard’ way to perform a total hip replacement for many years:
- The surgeon performs the incision to access the ball-and-socket near the buttocks on the back of the hip.
- The surgeon performs the procedure as trained.
- When awake, you will be informed of the success and begin the outpatient process when deemed ready.
The posterior approach includes:
• A High success rate: This technique is considered the tried-and-true approach to hip replacement and has a low risk of complications.
• Compatibility: Many patients are good candidates for this approach.
• Precision: approaching the hip from the back provides your surgeon excellent visibility to replace the joint.
What is Anterior Hip Replacement?
The direct anterior approach often has a smaller incision, around 4 to 6 inches, and can be the less invasive way to do hip replacement surgery. In this surgery, the incision is placed at the front of your hip. This approach often allows less trauma to the soft tissues around the hip, as the incision is smaller. However, the surgeon still has easy access to the hip joint with this procedure.
The anterior approach includes:
• With a smaller incision, the anterior approach is often a less invasive surgical option for hip replacement.
• Typically, an anterior hip replacement allows for a fast recovery to get you back to full function.
Still Undecided on Anterior vs. Posterior Hip Replacement?
Each approach has advantages and disadvantages. The surgical approach is chosen carefully by your surgeon based on several factors, including but not limited to your anatomy, body type, medical history, the complexity of the procedure, and the surgeon’s recommendations. Talking to your physician will help you determine which approach is right for you and your specific hip condition.
Whether the surgery is done from the front (anterior) or the back (posterior), the result is the same: a new hip that allows you to feel better and move better!
At OSMC, our experienced physicians take pride in your health. Therefore, if you are experiencing hip pain or other hip issues and considering hip surgery, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us and consult with one of our experts. We look forward to hearing from you!
Reserve your appointment. Call us at (574)207-0043.
Read more about the OSMC Hip Specialists.
This blog post is not intended to provide personal medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, or treatment to you or any other individual. It is information for educational purposes only. You should not use this information in place of a consultation or the advice of a healthcare provider.
