The fundamental difference between posterior and anterior approach hip replacement surgery lies in the location of the surgical incision, which directly determines which muscles and soft tissues must be cut or repositioned during your total hip replacement procedure. Dr. Calendine, serving patients in Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee, explains that posterior hip replacement surgery utilizes a curved incision positioned on the side and back of the hip joint. This traditional incision curves strategically behind the greater trochanter, which is the prominent bony projection that extends outward from the top of the femur or thigh bone. While posterior hip replacement surgery has been successfully performed for decades, this approach requires Dr. Calendine and other orthopedic surgeons to cut through several important muscles and soft tissue structures at the back of the hip to access the joint for implant placement.  

The posterior hip replacement approach requires careful management of several critical muscle groups and soft tissue structures that play essential roles in hip stability and function. During posterior approach hip replacement surgery in Middle Tennessee, surgeons must address the tensor fascia lata, which is a wide band of fibrous soft tissue located at the top of the outer thigh that works in coordination with the iliotibial band, commonly known as the IT band, to help stabilize both the hip and knee joints during movement. The procedure also involves cutting through the large gluteus maximus muscle, which attaches to the fascia lata and serves as one of the body's most powerful muscles, allowing individuals to extend and rotate the thigh outward while helping stabilize the pelvis and maintain upright posture. Additionally, posterior hip replacement surgery requires cutting through the external rotators of the hip, which are a group of small but crucial muscles that connect the top of the femur to the pelvis and provide essential hip stability by preventing the femur from dislocating backward out of the hip socket. Understanding these anatomical considerations helps explain why Dr. Calendine often recommends the anterior approach hip replacement for patients in the Greater Nashville area, as this muscle-sparing technique can preserve these important structures and potentially lead to faster recovery and improved outcomes.

Posterior hip replacement surgery represents the most traditionally used approach for performing total hip replacement surgery, and remains widely utilized by orthopedic surgeons throughout Nashville, Franklin, and Middle Tennessee. Dr. Calendine explains that the posterior approach to hip replacement involves making the surgical incision at the back of the hip, positioned close to the buttocks area to access the hip joint from behind. While some surgeons refer to modified posterior techniques as minimally invasive hip surgery, the traditional posterior approach typically requires cutting through certain muscles and soft tissues to achieve optimal access to the hip joint for accurate implant placement. During posterior hip replacement surgery at Williamson Medical Center, the incision is strategically placed to minimize damage to the abductor muscles, which are the major walking muscles essential for normal gait and hip stability. However, unlike the anterior approach hip replacement that Dr. Calendine specializes in, the traditional posterior approach does involve cutting through some muscle structures at the back of the hip to safely access and replace the damaged joint components.

Posterior hip replacement surgery performed in Franklin, Tennessee follows a systematic approach to ensure safe and effective joint replacement. The procedure begins with the patient receiving general anesthesia for comfort and safety throughout the total hip replacement surgery. During posterior approach hip replacement, patients are positioned on their side or face down on a specialized operating table that enables Dr. Calendine to perform the surgery from the back of the hip with optimal access and visibility. The surgical incision is carefully made near the buttocks area, strategically positioned to access the hip joint while preserving critical walking muscles when possible. The surgeon then detaches specific muscles and tendons as necessary to gain adequate access to the damaged hip joint for removal of arthritic bone and cartilage. Once the artificial hip components are precisely positioned and secured in place using advanced surgical techniques, the surgical instruments are removed, soft tissues are carefully repositioned and repaired, and the incisions are closed with sutures before being covered with sterile dressing materials.

The posterior approach to hip replacement surgery offers several advantages for appropriate surgical candidates seeking total hip replacement in the Greater Nashville area. This well-established technique provides surgeons with excellent visibility of the hip joint, enabling precise placement of artificial hip implants for optimal long-term function and stability. The posterior hip replacement approach has demonstrated consistently high success rates over decades of use, making it a reliable option for patients with specific anatomical considerations or complex hip conditions. While Dr. Calendine often recommends the anterior approach hip replacement for its muscle-sparing benefits, the posterior approach may be preferred for certain patients based on their individual anatomy, previous surgeries, or specific medical conditions. The posterior technique allows experienced orthopedic surgeons to achieve accurate implant positioning with comprehensive joint visualization, which can be particularly beneficial for patients with challenging hip anatomy or revision surgery cases. Dr. Calendine evaluates each patient individually to determine whether posterior or anterior approach hip replacement will provide the best outcomes based on their unique circumstances and recovery goals.

During posterior hip replacement surgery performed by Dr. Calendine, patients are carefully positioned on their side or face down on a specialized orthopedic operating table designed to provide optimal access to the hip joint from the back. This positioning enables Dr. Calendine to perform the total hip replacement surgery with excellent visualization and precise control throughout the procedure at Williamson Medical Center. The surgical incision for posterior approach hip replacement is strategically made close to the buttocks area, positioned beyond the abductor muscles to minimize damage to these critical walking muscles while providing adequate access to the damaged hip joint. Once the incision is made, Dr. Calendine carefully detaches specific muscles and tendons as necessary to gain optimal access to the hip joint, allowing for safe removal of damaged bone and cartilage and accurate placement of the artificial hip components.

Following precise positioning and secure fixation of the prosthetic hip implant components during posterior hip replacement surgery in Middle Tennessee, Dr. Calendine systematically withdraws all surgical instruments while ensuring proper implant alignment and stability. The soft tissues, including muscles and tendons that were repositioned during the procedure, are carefully re-approximated and repaired to restore normal anatomical relationships and optimize healing. The surgical incision is then meticulously closed using sutures or surgical staples, depending on individual patient factors and Dr. Calendine's assessment of optimal healing conditions. Finally, the closed incision is covered with a sterile surgical dressing to protect the surgical site and promote proper healing during the initial recovery period following your total hip replacement surgery. This systematic approach to posterior hip replacement ensures optimal outcomes while minimizing surgical trauma and supporting successful recovery for patients throughout the Greater Nashville area.

Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/; American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, https://hipknee.aahks.org/total-hip-replacement/; Arthritis-health, https://www.arthritis-health.com/