Potential For Less pain. Faster recovery. Improved mobility.  The Anterior Approach in hip replacement is a tissue-sparing alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery that provides the potential for less pain, faster recovery and improved mobility because the muscle tissues are spared during the surgical procedure. The technique allows the surgeon to work between your muscles and tissues without detaching them from either the hip or thighbones – sparing the tissue from trauma. Keeping the muscles intact may also help to prevent dislocations. With the Anterior Approach, the surgeon uses one small incision on the front (anterior) of your hip as opposed to the side or back. Since the incision is in front, you’ll avoid the pain of sitting on the incision site. Anterior Approach Incision The Anterior Approach procedure in hip replacement has been gaining popularity recently due to its potential benefits:

• Possible accelerated recovery time because key muscles are not detached during the operation. (Some other procedures require cutting or disturbing the important muscles at the side or back of the leg.) The Anterior Approach is known as a tissue-sparing procedure because it avoids cutting these key muscles and tissues and therefore minimizes muscle damage.

• Possible reduced scarring because the technique allows for one relatively small incision.

• Potential for fewer 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.

The Anterior Approach differs in multiple ways from other surgery techniques: The hip is exposed in a way that does not detach muscles or tendons from the bone. Intraoperative x-ray or computer navigation may be used to confirm implant position and leg length. The Anterior Approach enters the body closer to the hip joint, with far less tissue between the skin and the bones of the hip, so more patients may be candidates. For your personal consultation call 918-514-3009 or request an appointment online.