Anterior Hip Replacement

Hip pain and stiffness can make walking, climbing stairs, and everyday activities difficult. Anterior hip replacement surgery is an advanced approach to total hip arthroplasty that replaces your joint with an artificial joint to relieve pain, restore movement, and help you return to daily life.

The board-certified and fellowship-trained hip specialists at Hoag Orthopedic Institute are highly trained in advanced hip replacement care to restore mobility, relieve pain, and support your recovery to ultimately get you Back to You®.

What Is Anterior Hip Replacement?

Anterior hip replacement surgery is a minimally invasive procedure performed through the front of the hip rather than the back or side. Also known as anterior total hip arthroplasty, this advanced approach allows the surgeon to reach the hip joint by working between major muscles instead of cutting through them.

During anterior hip replacement surgery, the damaged hip joint is replaced with an artificial implant to relieve pain, restore movement, and improve joint function.

Benefits of Anterior Hip Replacement

The anterior approach to hip replacement allows your surgeon to work through a smaller incision. This provides several benefits, including:

Less muscle trauma
Avoids cutting major muscles
Less pain due to reduced soft tissue disruption
Reduced limping
Shorter hospital stay
Decreased chance of hip dislocations
Can require less pain medication

Anterior Hip Replacement vs. Traditional Hip Replacement Surgery

Both anterior and traditional hip replacement surgery are forms of total hip arthroplasty designed to relieve pain and restore mobility by replacing the damaged hip joint. The primary difference is how the surgeon reaches the joint.

In an anterior approach hip replacement, the surgeon reaches the joint through the front of the hip by working between major muscles rather than cutting through them. Traditional hip replacement surgery is generally performed through the back or side of the hip and typically requires cutting or detaching muscles and soft tissues to access the joint. Depending on the patient, anterior hip replacement recovery usually involves significantly less pain, reduced limping, and a lower risk of dislocation.

When Is Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty Recommended?

Anterior total hip arthroplasty may be recommended for patients with severe hip pain, stiffness, or limited mobility caused by advanced joint damage.

Common conditions treated with total hip arthroplasty include:

Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Hip Fracture
An infection of the hip (osteomyelitis)
Loss of blood supply to the hip (avascular necrosis)
Abnormal hip joint development (hip dysplasia)

In some cases, the anterior approach may also be used during hip revision surgery to replace or correct a previously implanted artificial hip joint. Hoag Orthopedic Institute joint replacement surgeons are specially trained in revision joint replacement surgery and perform the most joint replacement procedures on the West Coast.

The best surgical approach depends on your anatomy, overall health, and the condition affecting your hip. Your hip surgeon will determine whether an anterior approach is the right option for you.

What to Expect Before Anterior Hip Replacement Surgery

Most patients undergoing anterior hip replacement surgery will do so as an outpatient. However, some patients may require an overnight stay at Hoag Orthopedic Institute.

To help patients and caregivers prepare for a smoother recovery, Hoag Orthopedic Institute offers a Pre-Op Hip and Knee Orientation Class. This class provides resources and tools to help patients gain a better understanding of what to expect from hip replacement surgery.

Recovery

Once you are stable after total hip arthroplasty, your designated caregiver will take you home if you had an outpatient procedure. If an overnight stay is needed, you will be transferred to your hospital room.

You should be able to put weight on your new hip soon after surgery, and are encouraged to walk using a walker as tolerated after surgery. Many of the anterior hip replacement patients at Hoag Orthopedic Institute are discharged the same day as surgery so they are able to recover at home.

Additionally, most hip surgeons will prescribe at-home therapy three times a week for two weeks. Having home therapy ensures that the therapist can customize the rehabilitation plan around your environment at home, such as how to climb stairs or get in and out of your vehicle.

Patients will typically need to use a walker or cane for the first 1-2 weeks of their anterior hip replacement recovery. Your care team will guide your gradual return to activity as your recovery progresses. High-impact activities should be avoided for 6 to 12 weeks.

Most patients regain sufficient strength and mobility for daily activities within 4 to 6 weeks. Many return to work after about a month, though jobs that require prolonged standing, walking, or heavy lifting may require up to 3 months of recovery.

Find an Orthopedic Surgeon

Schedule an Evaluation with a Hip Replacement Specialist

Don’t let ongoing hip pain, arthritis, stiffness, or mobility limitations diminish your quality of life. If conservative treatments no longer provide relief, anterior hip replacement surgery may help relieve pain and restore mobility.

At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our board-certified and fellowship-trained hip specialists create personalized treatment and recovery plans designed to help you get back to you.

Find a Hip Surgeon that performs Anterior Hip Replacement Surgery. Call us at (949) 890-0464 to make an appointment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Hoag Orthopedic Institute is nationally recognized for its expertise in joint replacement surgery and consistently ranks among the highest-volume programs in the United States. Our high surgical volume means our team brings deep, real-world experience to every procedure, from routine joint replacements to complex revisions.
Our board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons collaborate with physical therapists, anesthesiologists and care coordinators to deliver comprehensive, evidence-based joint replacement services. We offer advanced surgical techniques, including robotic-assisted procedures when appropriate, to help reduce pain and restore joint function.
As a patient at HOI, you will receive personalized care, proven outcomes and the support of a team committed to helping you move with strength and confidence.
Before joint replacement surgery, your care team will guide you through a thorough preoperative evaluation, including medical clearance, imaging and patient education. You’ll receive detailed instructions on preparing your home, medications to avoid and what to expect during recovery.
Total joint replacement is typically performed as an inpatient or same-day procedure, depending on your health and surgical plan.
Guided physical therapy is critical following joint replacement to rebuild your strength and mobility. Your team will monitor your progress and adjust your care plan as needed, helping you return safely to your favorite activities with greater comfort and confidence.
Total joint replacement may be recommended for patients with advanced joint damage that limits movement or causes daily pain, most often from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic injury.
You may be a candidate if conservative treatments such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections fail to provide relief.
Candidates for joint replacement often report pain with walking, climbing stairs or performing routine tasks. A joint replacement surgeon will evaluate your medical history, imaging and lifestyle goals to determine if surgery is the right next step.