Anterior Approach to Hip Replacement Surgery

Your hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The ball of your thighbone fits securely into the socket of your pelvis. There are also ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and other soft tissues in and around the joint. The hip is one of the largest joints in your body. It bears your body weight and supports all kinds of movements. 

Treating Hip Replacement with Anterior Approach

Your specific hip condition or injury will determine the treatment and prevention options our professionals suggest. The surgical approach, also called surgical technique, is the way the surgeon makes their incision so that they can operate on the bones that make up the joint. 

Most surgeons use what is called a posterior approach, which is a common procedure and is done through the back of the hip. Our surgeons use the Anterior Approach, where surgeons make the incisions through the front of the hip. With the anterior approach, the surgeon works around the muscles keeping them intact. By keeping the muscles intact, the Anterior Approach allows for less pain, faster recovery, quicker stability and fewer postoperative restrictions.

The Anterior Approach procedure was originally pioneered in the 1940’s by Robert Judet, and brought to the United States by Dr. Joel Matta in 1966.  Currently only 20% of US surgeons perform the Anterior approach procedure, so we are proud to provide specialized care for our patients. 

Take the Next Step

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in a hip that is limiting your ability to function normally, orthopedists at Dignity Health provide expert care for hip conditions in Santa Cruz. Go to Find a Doctor online or call (866) 466-1401 to request a doctor referral, or find an orthopedic specialist now.