DIRECT ANTERIOR TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT
Typical hip replacement components. There are multiple varieties of femoral components and acetabular components now.
WHAT IS HIP REPLACEMENT?
Hip replacement removes the patient's original hip (including the femoral head and acetabulum) and replaces it with artificial materials.
WHY IS IT PERFORMED?
Hip replacement is usually performed for disabling end stage arthritis of the joint when there is little to no remaining cartilage left in the patient's joint.
WHAT IS ANTERIOR HIP REPLACEMENT OR DIRECT ANTERIOR?
Direct anterior hip replacement describes a hip replacement that is placed through an anterior (frontal) surgical exposure. It is a different direction in which to expose the hip joint.
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF ANTERIOR HIP REPLACEMENT?
Small incision
Potentially less pain in the early surgical recovery
Potentially lower dislocation rate
Potentially lower risk of leg length inequality
WHAT ARE THE DOWNSIDES TO ANTERIOR HIP REPLACEMENT?
Just like other surgical methods of hip replacement, there is risk for anesthetic complications, infection, blood clots, nerve damage, leg length inequality. Anterior hip replacement does not increase these risks, but also does not decrease them either.