Hip pain from arthritis or other conditions that damage the surface of the joint can lead to life altering pain. When one’s quality of life and daily function are affected despite conservative treatments like over the counter medications and activity changes, hip replacement surgery may provide long lasting pain relief and a return to an active lifestyle. The anterior approach to hip replacement surgery is Dr. Morrison’s preferred option for most patient’s and offers the least invasive approach to full recovery.
What is the anterior approach?
To approach the hip, surgeons can make an incision over the buttock (posterior approach), the side of the hip (lateral approach), or the front of hip (anterior approach). The anterior approach offers advantages over the other common approaches. In an anterior approach, the hip is exposed between muscles rather than through muscles. By avoiding the pain associated with cutting muscle, patients may have an easier early recovery. Additionally, the anterior approach allows a surgeon to use live xray (called fluoroscopy) during the surgery because the patient is on their back rather than on their side. This gives the surgeon real time information on the appropriateness of implant sizing, as well as improved accuracy in leg length and implant positioning. All of the factors should lead to a more predictable outcome and a reduction in complications like dislocation, bone fracture, implant loosening, and leg length difference.
What risks are associated with the anterior approach?
The risks associated with hip replacement are the same regardless of the approach your surgeon uses. These risks include infection, blood clots, dislocation, bone fracture, leg length difference, implant loosening from bone, and nerve or blood vessel injury. Dislocation and leg length difference risk is less with the anterior approach. The anterior approach does increase the risk of injury to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. This nerve provides sensation to the skin over part of the thigh, so it is not uncommon for patients to have some numbness in part of the skin over the thigh after surgery. For most patients this feeling partially or fully returns over several months.
If you have hip pain and would like to discuss treatment options with Dr. Morrison you can schedule an appointment with him in Nashville or Brentwood by calling 615-342-0038.
