ANTERIOR V POSTERIOR

On the side is a lateral incision.  I had a lateral posterior, so it runs up the thigh and then goes round on to my buttock slightly.

Posterior goes up the back of the thigh/buttock

Anterior goes up the front of the thigh

Different surgeons prefer different methods and sometimes it is other complications that dictate where the incision is made.

In my case I had a previous operation to repait my hip, which meant that there was metalwork to remove, as well as a hip replacement.

I had posterior as my surgeon is old school. More restrictions posterior but perhaps better long term

Results. Best of luck

Think I must of had a posteria as my icicion is down the side of my left thigh and curves slightly towards my bottom.

Hi julie90197:

adamjackman is righton with his explanation. He is also correct in stating that surgeons will reconmend the appraoch that they are most experienced with performing. This will provide the best outcome for you. 

That being said, not many surgens choose to be proficient at the anterior approach. It is the most difficult of the three and requires a specialized table for the surgery which is conducted with you lying on your back. That's why you should seek out a surgen who has most experince in the technique that you will choose for your THR. No orthopedic hip sugeons can do all three. Each will specialize in one of the 3 approaches.

I choose the anterior because it is least invasive, does not cut muscles with a quicker recovery time. It is also going to be an outpatient procedure (believe it or not!!). I also shopped around and did research on the surgeon. He was reconmened to me by another orthopedic surgen who resurfaced my right shoulder (another specialty) several years ago (also the least invasive approach after 2 other surgeons said I needed a total shoulder replacement). I had huge confidence in the orthopedic surgeon who did my shoulder surgery but he was very honest with me. He said, "Dave I am not well versed in this THR procedure and can do a lateral posterior operation. But if you want this specifc procedure, then I will reconmend you to this doctor". 

I think having a very candid and straight forward discussion with your surgeon is very important coupled with your own very thorough research. Don't let anyone make a decision for you. Be informed.

I recall having the examination with the first orthopedic surgeon for my shoulder and how he pushed a total shoulder replacement within minutes of his examination. He pulled out a tablet and let me view a presentation for total shoulder replacement followed by "when can we schedule this?". I walked out. His arrogance and bedside manner were something I did not want.

Hope this helps.

Hi Jules,

In anatomy

superior (higher) versus inferior (lower)

anterior (front) versus posterior (back)

So you must draw an imaginary line slicing your body in half beginning with the head and ending with the feet.

Therefore an incision on the side of the hip on the top half is anterior.

Mine is a straight up and down incision over the greater trocanter of the femur...greater (larger) versus lesser (smaller)...the trocanter is the bulge on the outside of your hip.

kind regards

judith

I had a posterior approach and my scar runs down the side of my leg a little more towards the back than the front.  My surgeon preferred this approach as he is an expert at it and it doesn't cut through the muscles or nerves.  They are able to push the muscles apart instead.  I figured he knew what he was doing and as long as it was successful I didn't care which approach I had.