Types of Hip Replacement Surgery
There have been many advances in hip replacement surgery over the past few years, which offer patients more options and lead to better outcomes. You and your surgeon determine which procedure is right for you:
- Anterior hip replacement – A relatively new alternative to traditional hip replacement surgery is the anterior approach. Your surgeon makes a single, 4-inch incision on the front of the hip instead of the back or side. This method has the potential to reduce your pain, quicken your recovery time and increase your mobility.
- Total hip replacement – During total hip replacement, your surgeon makes a 10- to 12-inch incision along the side of the hip and exposes the hip joint by moving muscles. The damaged joint is then removed and replaced with an artificial joint that is attached with cement or a special surgical material.
- Minimally invasive hip replacement surgery – Minimally invasive hip replacement surgery is similar to traditional total hip replacement. Instead of one long incision, your surgeon makes one or two cuts that are 2 to 5 inches long.
