Posterior Hip Replacement Surgery Performed in Louisville, KY

A posterior hip replacement is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that may be performed to address a damaged hip joint. The posterior approach—which involves accessing the joint from the back of the hip—is currently the most commonly utilized hip replacement technique and has been successfully performed for decades. At Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic in Louisville, Kentucky, we may suggest this type of surgery for a patient who has severe degenerative joint disease of the hip.

Advantages of the Posterior Approach

The posterior approach to hip replacement surgery offers several advantages over the anterior approach, which involves accessing the joint from the front of the hip. For instance, because the surgeon can achieve excellent visualization and exposure of the hip cup and thighbone (femur):

• The hip joint capsule and hip muscles—including the major walking muscles (abductors)—are left intact.
• The main incision through the buttocks muscles (gluteus maximus) typically heals well.
• The risk of sciatic nerve damage and femoral fracture is very low.
• Intraoperative X-rays are not needed to confirm the placement of the implant.

Additionally, the surgeons at Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic often perform posterior hip replacement with robotic assistance. Powered by a surgeon-controlled RIO^® Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System, a MAKOplasty^® total hip arthroplasty allows the surgeon to place the implant with heightened precision, which can reduce the risk of subsequent hip dislocations.

If hip pain is slowing you down and you’d like to learn more about posterior hip replacement, contact Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic today. You can schedule an in-person consultation at our location in Louisville, KY.