Anterior is better than posterior.

Posted , 18 users are following.

Hi all, seems like many of you are opting for a posterior hip replacement. With an anterior replacement there is far less pain, quicker recovery and no chance of a dislocation no matter what you do. Had an anterior 15 months ago and I was going back to the gym after 4 weeks. Check around for a surgeon who knows this technique.

1 like, 28 replies

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  • Posted

    Hi Jane, I think here in the UK the posterior method is favoured more than anterior which is why there are fewer posts about anterior. I watched the anterior approach on YouTube & when I spoke to my consultant he said he didn't favour this option at all.
  • Posted

    Hi Jane

    I didn't opt for a posterior op , it was what my NHS hospital does as standard .I agree that an anterior op does sound as if it has a much quicker recovery but not all of us are lucky enough to choose .

  • Posted

    I have to disagree - and that's unusual for me on this forum.

    Whichever you get, it's better than our life before the operation.

    A good outcome is what really matters, but I can understand your preference for quicker recovery etc.

    Graham - 🚀💃

  • Posted

    What's the difference I like the idea of of no dislocation risk. I wasnt offered any choices. My cut is down the side of my leg to the back of my hip.
    • Posted

      Dislocation risk graph............ it never reaches 0%, even for someone who does not have/need THR.

      Graham - 🚀💃

    • Posted

      Thanks I've just been reading up on this procedure and it is not favoured by the UK surgeons for various reasons. So it's comforting to know that they have chosen to use the posterior procedure on myself.

      Sue ☺

  • Posted

    Lucky you to have a choice the anterior method requires a special table to perform the procedure and I was told that there are very few in the UK due to the expense and therefore, not many surgeons are trained in the technique. Also I have read a few threads  on here of people who have had problems after the anterior approach. 
    • Posted

      Sorry if my comment was misunderstanding I didn't have a choice in the matter. I've never heard of it until on this thread. I was just saying after reading about the procedure if given a choice I would not of choice that method

      Sue

    • Posted

      Hi Sue my reply was to Jane who posted the original thread. I didn't have a choice either I did ask but what I wrote above was what I was told. Having said that I had the posterior and recovered well thankfully hope you do too. 

      Catrin

  • Posted

    Hi Jane, 

    Good for you that you had a choice ... I did not have one with THR number 1 and when asked for anterior for number 2, my surgeon told me that he was not in favor of this method - He might not have enough experience because hospital couldn't afford the table or perhaps it is too expensive here and standard insurance will not cover it ....  I am making this up while I am typing (the insurance part) - 

    Take care 

    big warm hug 

    renee

  • Posted

    There are at least 5 different approaches, and they all have advantages and disadvantages. Much depends on the expertise of the surgeon and on the patient's post-op behaviors, such as whether they stick to any required restrictions or not.

    Here in the US, you can do research on a surgeon and find out what approaches he does and would recommend for you. So you can usually choose an approach. In the UK when you use the NHS, it seems that is not the case, but you are assigned a surgeon and get the kind of approach that he does.

    I did very little research on approaches before I had my surgery, and just blindly went with what my surgeon wanted to do, the antero-lateral approach, and I am very unhappy with the result. It is possible that the same approach with a different surgeon might have been much better, who knows.

    • Posted

      (US based response) I had the conversation w/ the surgeon about various approaches and he sold me on the Anterior. While each has its pros & cons, the anterior one seemed to be the least invasive as far as cutting muscle and such to get at the joint. Now approachig 3 weeks post op I can walk with barely a limp and the pain is gone. Mostly now it seems the ache comes from the hip socket where the put the cup into my pelvis. My surgeon came highly recommended and  Idid some online research to gauge his patients' assessment. Not sure how smooth the next op will be,TRHR, but am guardedly optimisitic.  
  • Posted

    No choice, posterior is what they do, just need to learn to be carefull and treat it with respect, which is what we should be doing to our bodies anyway.
  • Posted

    Hi Jane, Thank you for your post. I am glad you are doing so well! I live in the U.S. and my insurance did give me the option. Although a friend who had one anterior and one posterior recommended the anterior, I chose posterior. I researched the risks posterior vs anterior and althought similar there seemed to be more risk of nerve damage with the anterior. I gave the research on both to my daughters and a friend without telling them my thoughts. After they read it, they all came back wanting me to have the posterior approach which I will have on this Tuesday. It pretty much came down to less risk was worth longer recovery time.
  • Posted

    I am just grateful for my new hip and didn't much care which method was used, although I didn't get an option anyway.  I'm recovering from posterior and it is the method carried out mostly in the UK.  I'm sure there are pros and cons for each method.

    Cels x

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