Dr. Jason Lang, orthopedic surgeon at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, explains two factors that he uses to help determine if a patient is a good candidate for the anterior approach to hip replacement.

In the anterior approach, an orthopedic surgeon accesses the hip joint by entering through the front of the body and going between the hip muscles that help hold the hip joint in place.

The anterior approach to total hip replacement is becoming more popular because it is less invasive, hospital stays are shorter, and recovery and rehabilitation are quicker for patients. This less invasive surgery is especially appropriate for patients who are active and eager to return to work and their daily activities as quickly as possible.

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