Why aren all Orthopedic surgeons performing anterior hip replacement surgery?
Why aren’t all orthopedic surgeons doing hip replacements through an anterior approach? That is a good question. Probably several answers. Most orthopedic surgeons were trained to do hip replacement surgery through a posterior approach in their residencies, as I was. Doing it that way works and has excellent results and some surgeons are reluctant to change. I for one am open to change if I think it adds benefits to my patients. Secondly, to learn the anterior approach means traveling to see other surgeons perform the operation, and practicing on cadavers. This takes time and money. Thirdly, it does help to have the special table to do this operation. Not all hospitals are willing to purchase a table that costs nearly 100,000 dollars. Lastly, it does take a little longer to perform the operation through the anterior approach, but not significantly. It has added anywhere from one hour longer initially to only about 15-20 minutes longer now.
