Hip replacement is one of the most common joint replacement surgeries in the United States. It’s also one of the most successful. During anterior hip replacement surgery, the surgeon accesses the hip joint through the front of the leg, through a vertical incision or a bikini incision. Although anterior hip replacement uses a standard-size incision, it is considered a muscles sparing surgery.

Why Would I Need a Hip Replacement?

An orthopedic surgeon may recommend hip replacement surgery if you have joint damage caused by arthritis. You may also need hip replacement surgery if you have a hip injury that makes walking or participating in everyday activities difficult.

Who is a Candidate for Anterior Hip Replacement?

If you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, you can be a candidate for anterior hip replacement surgery. These conditions wear down the cartilage in your hip, causing bones to rub against each other and making it painful to walk. Hip replacement may be an option if nonsurgical treatments don’t relieve the pain or improve hip function.

Most patients who qualify for hip replacement are between ages 55 and 80. However, younger patients with rheumatoid arthritis or older patients in excellent health may also qualify.

What are the Advantages of Anterior Hip Replacement?

There are several advantages to anterior hip replacement, including:

• Faster recovery
• Increased precision
• Less damage to major muscles
• Less post-operative pain
• No restrictions after the replacement
• Smaller chance of hip dislocation
• Less risk of Leg length discrepancy.

What are the Disadvantages of Anterior Hip Replacement?

Anterior hip replacement is safe and effective for most patients. However, it does have some disadvantages, including:

• A restricted view of the hip joint for the surgeon
• Longer operative time
• Some people, including the obese or very muscular, may not be good candidates
• Wound healing issues.

How Do Surgeons Perform Anterior Hip Replacement?

The anterior approach allows your surgeon to perform the surgery through a smaller incision in the front of the hip. The incision usually starts at the top of the pelvis and extends downward toward the top of the thigh, or can be done through a bikini incision, closed to the inguinal line.

The surgeon removes damaged cartilage and bone, leaving healthy bone intact. Next, they position the new implants. During a total hip replacement, the surgeon will implant a replacement socket into the pelvic bone and a stem into the top of the thigh bone. They will then top the stem with a replacement ball, made out of ceramic and a plastic. The procedure usually takes between one to two hours.

Robot-assisted, navigation and virtual and mixed reality hip replacements are similar to traditional hip replacement surgery. Robots help enhance the surgeon’s accuracy and precision. At University of Miami Health, we use the following robotic systems to aid hip replacement surgery:

• Cori
• Mako
• Rosa
• Velys
• Hip Insight
• Arvis

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Hip Replacement Surgery?

Recovery from hip replacement surgery varies from person to person. However, full recovery can take between two to eight weeks.

Why Choose UHealth?

Innovating hip replacement surgery. UHealth is the first hospital in Florida to use mixed reality and augmented reality for hip replacement surgery. This innovative technology reduces operation time and increases accuracy for a smooth recovery.

Specialized joint replacement care. When you receive a joint replacement at the University of Miami Health System, your surgeon is an expert in the field who dedicates their time to performing joint replacement procedures exclusively. Our experienced physicians perform thousands of primary and complex joint replacements each year, using the latest advances in technology like minimally invasive hip replacement techniques and patient-specific knee replacements. You can rely on their skills to relieve your joint pain and get you back to activities you love.

Research. The Department of Orthopaedics has been focused on improving health and mobility for its patients for more than 35 years, and it will continue to advance that mission, through research and education, for the next century and beyond. The division of Joint Replacement continues to lead a rapidly growing team of medical students, physicians, and scientists that aim to transform orthopaedic medicine, ensuring our patients enjoy healthier, more active lives, free from debilitating pain throughout impactful research.