Anterior Approach Hip Surgery
Hip replacement surgery has historically been performed using a posterior-lateral approach, with the patient facing downward. The surgeon would need to make incisions into the large muscles of the pelvis or femur (thighbone) to access the hip joint. This type of procedure required larger incisions and caused associated pain. Patients faced longer recovery times and potential joint instability due to the nature of the surgery.
Our team uses a specially designed operating table that enables the surgeon to perform hip replacement surgery using an anterior approach, with the patient facing upward. Using this less invasive approach enables surgeons to replace the hip joint by working through the natural interval between muscles, using smaller incisions on the front of the upper thigh and without cutting into or detaching the important muscles at the side or back of the leg.
This approach enables surgeons to manipulate the leg more easily during surgery so they can properly position and evaluate the movement of the new hip joint. It allows for X-rays to be taken during surgery, further ensuring proper fit, leg length and optimal placement of hip joint components.
Benefits of the Anterior Approach
Because the surgeon moves muscles aside to access the hip joint, all muscles and natural stability are preserved. There are smaller incisions, and less blood loss and scarring. Since the incision is in front, patients avoid the pain of sitting on the incision site. Like similar minimally invasive procedures, this may decrease the average hospital stay to just two to four days. Patients can return to an active lifestyle more quickly.
Direct Superior Approach
The direct superior approach allows the orthopedic surgeon to spare muscles and tendons more than any other approach in town, primarily the piriformis muscle and the iliotibial band, which are not disrupted. The advantage is post-operatively, there are no hip precautions to avoid in case of dislocation, which you have to avoid in other approaches. Also with the minimal muscle disruption, you have less pain and get back to activities faster, needing less pain medicines, and rarely do you even need physical therapy after surgery.