Direct Anterior Approach

Orthopedic surgeons at Adventist Health Glendale are among a growing number of surgeons nationwide who are offering patients a surgical approach that may speed recovery and decrease postoperative pain for hip replacement procedures.

Called the direct anterior, or "front," approach, this technique involves making an incision on the front of the hip rather than the side or back, as traditionally done. As a result, your surgeon can follow the natural spaces between your hip joint's muscles and tendons, resulting in less damage to these soft tissues.

Rehabilitation is often a faster process because the hip is replaced without detachment of muscle from the pelvis or femur. Additionally, because the gluteal muscles and other natural stabilizers are left undisturbed, it is possible for patients to regain mobility more quickly and ultimately leave the hospital sooner.

In fact, the normal postoperative restriction of limiting hip movement to 60 or 90 degrees does not apply to those patients who have undergone the direct anterior approach. With the anterior approach, you may be allowed to bend your hip freely, allowing you to resume your normal daily activities such as sitting or getting into or out of a car without restriction.

Other key advantages of the direct anterior approach include:

• Hospital stay may be reduced from three to 10 days to two to four days
• Smaller surgical scar
• Reduced risk of postsurgical dislocation of the hip implant

For a referral to an Adventist Health Glendale orthopedic physician, call(818) 409-8000.