Orange County Anterior Hip Replacement

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Total hip replacement (hip arthroplasty) is a type of surgery that replaces your hip joint with an artificial one. Typically, hip replacement surgery is performed for patients with severe hip pain caused by a damaged hip.

There are two techniques used when doing a total hip replacement – posterior approach (from behind the hip, to the side of the hip) and anterior approach (from the front of the hip).

The anterior approach for hip replacement is often used when the patient has hip arthritis, but is also used to replace hips with any type of damage, including during hip revision surgery (when a hip has previously been replaced.) Your surgeon will determine which is the best approach for your hip replacement.

Benefits of Anterior Hip Replacement

The anterior approach may allow your hip surgeon to perform the hip replacement surgery through a smaller incision. Having an anterior hip replacement has several benefits and advantages including:

• Less muscle trauma / avoids cutting major muscles
• Less Pain due to not cutting through muscle fibers or detaching muscles from bones through the procedure
• Less Limping
• Shorter hospital stay
• Decreased chance of hip dislocations
• Typically requires less pain medication.

Common Hip Conditions Requiring Anterior Hip Replacement

The most common reasons why the hip joint can fail is due to one of the following:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Hip Fracture
• An infection of the hip (osteomyelitis)
• A tumor on the hip
• Loss of blood supply to the hip (avascular necrosis)
• Abnormal growth on the hip (hip dysplasia)

What to Expect from Anterior Hip Replacement

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

To better prepare patients and their caregivers for the most successful surgical outcomes and recovery, we recommend that patients sign-up for our 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 hip replacement surgery, your designated care giver will take you home if you had an outpatient procedure, otherwise, you will be moved to your hospital room.

You should be able to put weight on your new hip soon after surgery and may be able to walk using a walker, cane or crutches the day after surgery.

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 the patient’s environment at home such as how to climb stairs or get in and out of your specific car, etc.

Patients will typically need to use a walker or cane for 1-2 weeks post-operatively. Your hip surgeon will progressively add back activities following surgery. And no high-impact activity for 6-12 weeks for those undergoing biologic fixations.

It typically takes 4-6 weeks before patients get strength and range of motion to get around and perform daily tasks. Most people can return to work after about a month post-operatively. However, if your job requires a lot of standing, walking or heavy lifting it may take up to 3 months before you can return to work.

Find a Hip Surgeon

Not only was Hoag Orthopedic Institute ranked as one of the top Orthopedic Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report in 2023-2024, it also Ranked High Performing by U.S. News & World Report for Hip Replacements and Hip Fracture.

Find a Hip Surgeon that performs Anterior Hip Replacement Surgery. Call us at (949) 705-6493 to make an appointment.

Find a Hip Surgeon