I had the posterior approach with an excellent surgeon who does 500+ hip replacements and-or resurfacings per year. Just as an example, he did 9 the day of my surgery. I think he has done anteriors before because I saw it listed on his resume, but he's not a big fan of them for whatever reason--I didn't question him about it because I just wanted to have a surgeon who was very experienced at hip replacements and was willing to go with whatever he recommended for me.
As far as recovery, my surgery was 12 noon; I was out of bed for a brief period that evening--mostly just standing and took a couple of steps to relieve some muscle spasms; up and walking in my big private room (LOVED that room!!) and short distances in the hall with my walker the 2nd day; getting fully dressed adn walking about 250 feet to the PT room and doing group PT twice the 3rd day and was declared independent in my room and for short walks in the hall end of the 3rd day.
Discharged to rehab (my preference because I live alone and was uncomfortable coming home this soon after surgery) 4th day. I had 4 days of OT and PT at the rehab and walked in the halls quite a bit on my own while I was there. Came home, had 3 home PT visits and was declared doing well enough for discharge with no need for outpatient unless I wanted it or my surgeon wants me to do it. Just keep walking and doing my hip exercises.
I walk out to see my horses (about 300 feet) at least once every day and putz around the barn and the horses; play ball with my dogs outside; and go walking at a nearby church gym or on the sidewalk, depending on the upstate NY winter (which has been thankfully very mild). I'm doing a few light horse care chores now; have done my own housework since returning home (except for the first vacuuming--too difficult to do that while supporting myself with the walker), cooked my own simple meals, taken care of my cats and dogs (although I do have someone else clean the litter boxes because of the bending involved). I'm a little less than 5 weeks out and I've been able to go for brief shopping trips since the 3rd week and driving since around the 3 week mark, and the hip is doing great and hasn't had a problem from the time it landed in my body. I will admit that I did overdo things in the beginning and had a period of severe exhaustion, but the hip was fine during all of this--the rest of my body just felt awful.
The 90 degree restriction is a bit of a pain in the butt, but I've learned to work with it and it's become pretty much normal for me at this point. In fact, I'll probably have to "unlearn" it when I get released!
My opinion and just my own personal opinion and situation--I wanted a SUPER good surgeon working on me. The approach was not important to me as long as the person doing the work was very good. My surgery went off without a hitch. It took less than 1 hour, I lost very little blood, my incision didn't have a bit of drainage after the first few days, my leg length has been fine since the get go. My surgeon could probably do this procedure in his sleep--he is THAT experienced. The end result was the most important factor to me. I could put up with some restrictions in the beginning. I just wanted to be GREAT for the rest of my life.
The bottom line is that I went with what felt right to me ... and you should do the same, whether it's posterior or anterior that you choose. Listen to your gut. Maybe even make a "pros and cons" list about the procedures and the surgeons you talk with.
Good luck and whatever you decide, I hope you are able to get a surgery date soon because you sound like you are in such pain. I remember those days--not fun!
Dorothy
United States
