Anterior or Posterior surgery?

My Surgeon only does the Posterior which he has been performing for 40+ years. I spent 3 days in the Hospital. I know comparing to my brother in laws anterior approach, there is less restrictions initially. But at the 6 week mark both approaches even out. Just make sure the anertior guy has a lot of experience. Best of luck

I had Posterior surgery and thank goodness I did as they found a severed Gluteous Minimus tendon that would not have been found if done in the Anterior procedure. I was in and out of the hospital in a day and a half.

My doctor is one of the best surgeons of the knee and hip and the hospital is amazing. I think the expertise of the surgeon is the most important issue.

Anterior is harder on the doctor but recovery is easier on the patient. Posterior is easier on the doctor, but harder on the patient.

Anterior, but research, research research your surgeon--he should do hundreds of these successfully every year. 

My surgeon only does the posterior approach - and he does loads of them (130% on national average). I was only in hospital 4 days (1 day added due to wound leak).  The results have been pretty good.

Personally, I'd go with the surgeon with the most experience.

We've had people with with good, and with very bad, outcomes from both on here. So I suspect that, in the end, what happens is very individual. There are so many factors involved for any one case that I am not convinced that the evidence is there to say one is better than the other. One is certainly more fashionable than the other right now, but just because it is the latest model doesn't mean much either.

For what it is worth, I had posterior. Walking in 12 hours (after a GA because I couldn't have the spinal), no pain from hip or wound, and discharged the next morning - 36 hours in total. No pain since and perfect hip. That's from severe arthritis followed by osteonecrosis.

Even with all that, traveling 90 miles after hip replacement wouldn't be my first choice, and if anything went wrong, being 90 miles from the surgeon wouldn't be my first choice either.

hi sandy, 

tough decision ... I had no choice either - I did not even know I had a choice with 1st THR, to be honest ...when faced with 2nd THR I did ask my surgeon, but he didn't do it ... It is not that common yet here in Holland -

Sorry but can't help you here, but would love to hear your decision ..

big warm hug

renee

 

Hi im agree with Beth ,90 miles is long way and if any thing go wrong its long way to go. In Australia they do both but the surg9 have to be very

Experienced to do anterior non invasive surgery.

Good luck with your decision.

Hug Madla💗

I knew about the two options but only the posterior was performed at my local hospital. Despite the apparent slower  recovery I am now 7 weeks post op and back to most Pre op activity, dog walking and Pilates though not yet running!!!! Recovery has been erratic but I did recommended Physio which I am sure helped enormously.

Hi, I had posterior surgery when I had my FHR.  I was up and walking within 2 hours and was discharged from the hospital the following day with very few limitations.  The biggest thing is that you choose your surgeon carefully.  My surgeon has been doing this procedure for decades.  He performs between 20-30 surgeries each week.  He also came highly recommended by medical professionals.  Do your homework on both surgeons before making an informed decision.  Best of luck! 

Hi, I had posterior, really straightforward, lunch an hour later, out on day 2. I would go local, much easier to go to appointments, have visitors etc. But as the others have said, most important thing, research your surgeon, and go with someone who is very experienced. Good luck.

Hi,

I also have had two posterial hip replacements.  It is true that with the anterior there is less restriction.  However, both my consultants preferred the posterial approach for the simple reason that should something unexpected occur, with the posterial approach, they have direct access to the hip.

Good luck with whatever procedure you decide upon and then after the op, you can visit this forum to gain any help and support you may need; it's brilliant!