When it comes to surgically replacing a hip joint, there are two standard methods – the anterior and posterior approach. The posterior approach was the standard approach for the longest time, but there are significant benefits to using the improved anterior approach, which is what Dr. Botero uses during his hip replacement operations. Below, we take a look at the differences between the two techniques and explain why the anterior approach is almost always the preferred route for Dr. Botero and his patients.
Anterior and Posterior Hip Replacement
Before we explain why the anterior approach has become the new standard in hip replacement, let’s look at each approach and its outcomes.
As the name implies, the anterior approach involves making an incision at the front of the hip. This incision begins at the top of the pelvic bone and extends down near the top of the thigh. For the posterior approach, the surgeon makes a curved incision on the side of the hip. It may not sound like a big deal as to where the surgeon chooses to enter the body, but it is. Due to the location of the muscles and their positioning relative to the anterior incision, a surgeon can work between and around the muscles while installing the hip, meaning they don’t need to cut these strong muscle groups. With the posterior approach, the surgeon will need to cut some muscle and soft tissue in order to access the hip. Muscles that can be moved or minimally affected by the surgery will require little to no healing, while cut muscles need weeks or months and targeted physical therapy to get back to appropriate strength levels.
So if you don’t need to cut muscle groups and other soft tissues in order to perform the operation, why wasn’t the anterior approach the standard all along? The main reason is because the anterior approach is more difficult to perform correctly for the surgeon. This isn’t to say that it has a low likelihood of success, as the vast majority of operations go as expected, but it takes a certain amount of skill in order to perform the anterior operation correctly. The posterior approach provides the surgeon with a clear view of the hip joint and comfortable access to the hip joint during the replacement, whereas the anterior approach provides a limited view of the joint, meaning it’s more challenging on the surgeon’s end. Dr. Botero has been using the anterior approach for years on countless patients, and his success rate is up there with the best hip surgeons in the world.
Due to the mechanisms used and surgical technique, patients who undergo an anterior hip replacement tend to have less pain, less damage to major muscle groups, shorter stay in the surgical center and a quicker recovery than those who undergo the posterior approach. Also, because the surgery is less likely to disturb components that help to stabilize the hip, these patients are also at a reduced risk for hip dislocation in the future.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Finally, it’s worth noting that although it tends to produce great outcomes and Dr. Botero is well-versed in the technique, not every patient will be a candidate for the anterior approach. Obese or very muscular individuals may not be a candidate for the procedure given the tissues that may obstruct the surgeon’s access to the hip joint. But for those that are good candidates, the anterior approach may be just what you need to regain your independence and quality of life. For more information about the procedure or Dr. Botero’s experience with hip replacement, reach out to his office today.
