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The anterior approach to hip replacement surgery utilizes a small incision on the front of the thigh. This incision is in the interval between two muscles called the tensor Fascia Lata and the Sartorius muscles. The surgeon utilizes this approach to go in between these muscles rather than cutting them off of the bone. Once between these intervals, the surgeon will use finger dissection to locate the joint itself and place retractors on either side of the femur. The entire surgery is then performed using the same interval. Once down at the hip joint, the femoral neck is cut and the ball the femur is removed from the socket. Focusing on preparation of the acetabular component, we ream away the arthritis that’s inside the Acetabulum. We use circular hemispherical reamers to accomplish this task and shape the Acetabulum to accept the acetabular component. The component is made of titanium and has small little holes on the outside of the implant to allow for the bone to actually grow into the implant over time. The polyethylene component is then placed inside the shell and secured in place. We then address the Femur by using sequential broaches to shape the femoral canal to accept the femoral component. This component is also made of titanium, which grows into the bone over time as well. A ceramic or metal head is then placed on the trending of the Femur and the hip is reduced. The entire surgery is performed within this interval, allowing no muscles to be cut off the end of the Femur, which improves the stability of the implant and the joint decreasing your dislocation rate and obviating the need for any precautions. This approach also allows the patient to improve their mobility and get up and walk and recover much faster than the posterior approach.
