Lateral Hip Replacement Incision

Traditionally surgeons perform hip replacement surgery by making an incision behind posterior approach or on the side lateral approach of your hip.

Lateral hip replacement incision.

Some surgeons will use 2 incisions both the anterior and superior approach. Hip replacements can be preformed through a direct anterior approach an anterior lateral approach a lateral approach a posterior approach and a superior approach. Since about 1980 it s become more common. Again the primary advantage with this surgical exposure is the balance of being a versatile incision that can be used to perform not only a typical straightforward hip replacement but also to correct deformities and insert specialized implants.

Incision for direct anterior approach anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the hip in a prospective randomized study researchers at mayo clinic in rochester minnesota found that mayo clinic patients who underwent daa had objectively faster recovery than patients who had mpa hip arthroplasty. This approach provides doctors with a good view of the hip capsule allowing for optimum placement of implants. This approach is performed by reflecting the anterior portion of the gluteus medius and the vastus lateralis as a sleeve to expose the hip joint. First described by mcfarland and osborne 1 in 1954 the direct lateral approach to the hip was popularized by hardinge.

Over the years doctors have refined this procedure so that it is less invasive to body tissues by reducing the size of the incisions while still maintaining the safety and effectiveness of the technique.