The Anterior Approach

The Anterior Approach to total hip replacement is an alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery that provides the potential for less pain, faster recovery and improved mobility. Unlike traditional hip replacement surgery, this technique allows the surgeon to work between the muscles and tissues without detaching them from the bone. The potential benefits of the Anterior Approach are:

• Accelerated recovery time because key muscles are not detached or cut during the operation.
• No motion restrictions during recovery. Although each patient responds differently, this procedure seeks to help patients more freely bend their hip and bear their full weight immediately or soon after surgery.
• Possible reduced scarring because the technique allows for one relatively small incision. Since the incision is on the front side of the leg, you may be spared from the pain of sitting on scar tissue.
• Improved stability of the implant after surgery, resulting in part from the fact that key muscles and tissue are not disturbed during the operation.

• The Anterior Approach requires less tissue disruption, which typically lead to faster rehabilitation.

The doctors at the Texas Institute for Hip and Knee Surgery have over 10 years of experience in performing the anterior approach to hip replacement surgery. Working with the originating surgeon, our doctors have been instrumental in teaching and training other surgeons across the country this minimally invasive procedure since January 2004. Combined with technologies such as computer navigation and robotic assistance, their accuracy and precision continues to improve.

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