Although the end result is the same, there are a few different ways that a hip replacement procedure can be conducted. Each procedure is a little different from the others and offers some unique benefits and potential drawbacks, so it’s helpful to learn about each option before you move forward with a specific surgeon and technique. Below, we take a closer look at the three standard approaches to hip replacement and explain why patients may pursue one method over another.
Different Hip Replacement Techniques
Here’s a look at the standard hip replacement techniques that are commonly used today, and why these methods may or may not be right for your situation.
- The Anterior Approach – The anterior approach is becoming more common in today’s society, and it is the preferred method for Dr. Botero and his team. The technique involves approaching the hip from an incision on the front of the upper thigh, and it allows the surgeon to access the hip joint without separating muscle from bone. This greatly limits the damage to soft tissues in the area, which can significantly reduce patient discomfort and it can speed up your recovery time. However, the drawback with this procedure is that it is a more technically precise operation, meaning it’s harder on the surgeon because of the nearby structures. Nerve damage risk tends to be higher with this type of operation, but make no mistake, nerve damage is still very rare. The anterior approach is a little harder on the surgeon, but it is much less taxing on the patient, so if you can find a surgeon who is confident in their skills and who has a great track record of success with the anterior approach, this tends to be the best option for patients.
- The Posterior Approach – The posterior approach used to be the standard approach for hip replacement operations, and it involves making a large incision near the back of the hip area close to the buttocks. The incision site requires the surgeon to cut through several muscles in order to access the hip joint and complete the replacement, so not only does it tend to involve more discomfort as a result of these cut tissues, recovery times tend to be lengthier. This technique gives your surgeon a much clearer visual of the hip joint, and may be necessary in more complex replacement procedures.
- The Lateral Approach – The lateral approach is similar to the posterior approach, but the surgeon will make a 10-12 inch incision directly over the hip on the side of your body, more towards the middle of your body than the posterior incision site. This also provides the surgeon with a clear view of the joint, but again, muscles and soft tissues will need to be cut in order to access the joint. This technique may be considered instead of the posterior approach if most of the hip damage exists at the side of the hip joint. Again, patient discomfort and recovery time tends to increase a little compared to the anterior approach, but the anterior approach may not be right for each patient.
To learn more about any of these techniques, or to talk to a specialist about your hip discomfort and how to find a treatment plan that’s right for you, reach out to Dr. Botero and his team today at (865) 558-4444.
