Total Hip Replacement

During a total hip replacement, a small incision is made over the front, side, or back of the hip to gain access to the joint. Your surgeon will then remove any diseased or damaged bone and cartilage, while leaving the healthy bone intact. A prosthetic socket is implanted into the pelvic bone to replace the damaged socket and a prosthetic ball and stem is inserted into the femur to replace the damaged femoral head.

There are three minimally invasive procedures performed by the physicians at SportsMED to replace the hip joint: the posterior approach (back), anterior approach (front), and lateral approach (side).

• Posterior Approach is the most commonly used method for hip replacement surgery. The posterior approach is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows the physician to gain access to the hip joint from the back of the hip. Entering from the back of the hip allows the physician to avoid the primary leg muscles and gives the physician the best view into the hip joint.
• Anterior Approach is a minimally invasive alternative to hip replacement where the surgeon enters the joint from the front of the hip. Entering from the front of the hip is a muscle-sparing technique that allows for faster initial recovery time and less postoperative restrictions that can sometimes delay recovery.
• Lateral Approach is a minimally invasive surgical technique in which the physician enters into the hip joint from the side of the hip. The lateral approach allows the physician to preserve the posterior tissue structures, which decreases the risk of hip instability and dislocation.

Deciding which surgery option is best for you is determined through physical examination, diagnostic imaging (x-ray, MRI, etc.), and discussions with your surgeon.