Anterior v Posterior - experiences? thoughts?

Hi Emma.

I had posterior THR almost 5 weeks ago and have had incredible results. The only drawbacks is the size of the scar, recovery time, and chance of dislocation during recovery. From what I have read, the anterior approach, while having less scarring and quicker recovery time, is more risky than posterior. My surgeon wouldn't even do an anterior.

The anterior approach requires specialized equipment, training , and experience. If you go the anterior approach be sure to make sure your surgeon has a lot of experience. Check out their reputation for success. Just remember that an inexperienced surgeon needs to get experience on someone. Don't take a chance on being that someone. Posterior approach is far less risky if you can't find an experienced surgeon for anterior.

I read a lot about people liking their surgeon. I just want to tell my experience. I do not like my surgeon. He had no interpersonal skills and his bedside manner is aweful. Just not a person I could see anyone liking but he is an incredible surgeon. I am very pleased with my results. Just remember that your relationship with your surgeon is temporary, your relationship with your hip is permanent.

didn't mean you have to.like your surgeon, his personality or bedside manner etc.

I meant that if you feel good about your surgeon ie trust their abilities and have no "pinch factors" about them, then whichever technique they use will be well executed and successful.

Hi , thought id pisted but doesnt seem to be here . Ive had left and right hips , different approach for each. Cant say i noticed any appreciable differences either way , same restrictions for same length of time . As LDW has said , if you trust your surgeon trust his approach. I,m a nurse but not an orthopaedic surgeon so I trusted mine , who is very pleasant . I had all restrictions lifted at 6 weeks both times and was back at work that week also . Doing your post op exercises is the most important thing ( we dont get physio usually in UK unless needed for  a specific reason ) and all the other rehab stuff . You dont have to like your surgeon , but you do need to trust him/ her ! 

I had minimal invasive surgery done ten years ago and the surgeion said he had done many successful..........well mine wasnt ...........he injured my FEMORAL Nerve and in some cases it  comes back but mine didn't so go with the old way....safer and surgions are suppose to know just where that nerve is ! It should not have happened and all I got was a bad leg and handicap sticker!

Not previously heard of an MIS Posterior? The anterior is usually the minimally invasive surgery?

No restrictions if you go anterior except can't sleep on your,stomach 4 weeks per my doc. Can't drive till off narcotics and comfortable .

Hi Emma

I had my second posterior THR in mid March.  I was able to stand up and walk around the bed on the day of the op ( with help)  I was walking with only one crutch on day 4 when I was let out of hospital.  By the end of week two I was walking outside 3 times a day no walking aids at all.  I had no pain killers apart from panadol after the second night.

In NZ you are given exercises to do at home and no further physio.  So I do the excercises 3x a day.

I'm due for my 6 week surgeon check on Tuesday and am booked to return to work that night (I'm a dance coach).

So for me I don't know how much faster I could have recovered.  I'm certainly in better shape this second one ( the first one had some wound healing complications that took 4.5 months to sort out even though the hip was great)

So my advice - trust your surgeon - hips are thier business.

Sleep - exercise - walk - eat well and trust that you know when you have done too much.

Regards

Elly