Minimally Invasive Anterior Total Hip Joint Replacement

The anterior approach is an approach to the front of the hip joint as opposed to a lateral (side) approach to the hip or posterior (back) approach. It is a true anterior approach to the hip and should not be confused with the Harding approach which is often referred to as an anterior approach.

Rehabilitation is accelerated and hospital time decreased because the hip is replaced without detachment of muscle from the pelvis or femur. Other surgical approaches necessitate detachment of multiple muscles from the femur during surgery. In the anterior approach, by contrast, the hip is approached and replaced through a natural interval between muscles. The most important muscles for hip function, the gluteal muscles that attach to the posterior and lateral pelvis and femur, are left undisturbed.