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Anterior Approach for Total Hip Replacement

The Anterior Approach for total hip replacement is a tissue-sparing alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery that provides the potential for less pain, faster recovery and improved mobility because the muscle tissues are spared during the surgical procedure. The technique allows the surgeon to work between your muscles and tissues without detaching them from either the hip or thighbones - sparing the tissue from trauma.

Keeping the muscles intact may also help to prevent dislocations. With the Anterior Approach, the surgeon uses one small incision on the front (anterior) of your hip as opposed to the side or back. Since the incision is in front, you'll avoid the pain of sitting on the incision site.

Dislocation of the hip after hip replacement is one of the most common complications. Utilizing the anterior approach reduces the chance of dislocation because the posterior tissues are not disrupted and muscle units are able to function immediately after surgery. Patients typically get out of bed and walk the same day of surgery.

The anterior muscle sparing approach offers these advantages:

• Less post-operative pain which means less narcotic use
• Quicker recovery, shorter hospital stay (2-3 days), walk without cane at 2 weeks
• Decreased risk of dislocation
• Less blood loss
• No hip precautions (may sleep on side, tie own shoes, bend over)
• Drive at 2 weeks if not taking narcotics
• Small scar