The Posterior Approach is the most common approach used in hip replacement surgery. The patient is placed on their side and an incision made just behind the hip joint. The Gluteus Maximus muscle is split and then the short external rotator muscles are detached from the femur to allow the hip joint to be entered.
The posterior capsule and short rotators are repaired at the end of the procedure and the Gluteus Maximus muscle repaired from side to side.
Due to the need to wait for the repair to heal, standard hip precautions for 6 weeks are advised. This means no flexion above 90 degrees and no flexion and internal rotation.
Outcomes compared to the anterior approach are very similar at the 6-12 month post operative mark.
Posterior Approach Pre-op Information
Posterior Approach Post-op Information
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