Differences between Conventional Hip Replacement and the Anterior Approach

Conventional hip replacement surgery helps thousands of people each year receive freedom from hip joint pain. Like all medical procedures, the process has evolved over the years. Anterior hip replacement surgery is becoming the most common form of hip replacement for a variety of reasons. We would like to discuss those reasons and give you an inside look at conventional hip replacement versus anterior hip replacement surgery.

Conventional and Anterior Surgical Procedures

Conventional hip replacement involves cutting a 10 to 12 inch incision, detaching muscles from the bone and removing the damaged parts of the hip. After surgery you will be in a fair amount of pain. Make sure to let your doctors know when you need pain medication or if you feel anything is going wrong with your new hip. Patients receiving conventional hip replacement surgery require physical therapy to strengthen the muscle and ligaments that were cut from the bone. Slowly rebuilding muscle strength has proven to be less stressful on the recovering patient. Usually within 24 hours, a physical therapist will visit you to help you get started on the road to a full recovery.

The average hospital stay is generally 3 to 10 days. Patients must limit flexing the hip to no more than 90 degrees, which makes something as simple as sitting on the toilet a compromising or even painful event. Walking is often difficult for the first several days following hip replacement surgery. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Protecting your new hip is the top priority. Total recovery time for conventional hip replacement surgery ranges from 2 to 4 months. Typical results vary from patient to patient. Patients who had problems during surgery or extensive immobility before surgery may require more assistance in making a full recovery.

The anterior approach is much less invasive than conventional hip replacement surgery. Anterior hip replacement surgery requires a much smaller incision; only 4 to 5 inches in the front of the hip. Because of the placement of the incision, no muscle is detached from the bone. The damaged parts of the hip are removed and the new parts take their place. The average hospital stay for patients receiving anterior hip replacement surgery is only 2 to 4 days.

Patients receiving anterior hip replacement surgery don't usually require physical therapy because the muscle was not cut away from the bone during the procedure. Full recovery time is drastically reduced as well. What would take up to 4 months only takes about 8 weeks to heal. In fact, anterior hip replacement patients often report recovery times as short as 2 to 6 weeks. Following the anterior approach, patients may resume normal every-day activities within days as opposed to weeks.

Choosing Your Hip Replacement Surgeon

Hip replacement is never an easy ordeal; it is a major surgery that takes time to recover from. The position of the incision and stitches plays a major part in the procedure as well as the recovery. Of course your surgeon will provide the best information for your situation, but the surgeon who performs the surgery is up to you. Ask each potential surgeon if they prefer the conventional or anterior approach. Always get more than one opinion and ask as many questions as you can to each surgeon you interview. Request references when possible so you can make the most informed decision possible

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