Questions & Answers · Hip
Anterior vs. posterior hip replacement — which is better?
Neither approach is universally better — large studies show excellent results with both, and the surgeon's experience with their preferred approach predicts your outcome better than the approach itself. Anterior tends toward a faster first few weeks with fewer early movement precautions; posterior offers the most versatile exposure, which matters for complex anatomy.
What each approach actually means
- Anterior: entry from the front of the hip between muscle planes. Often a quicker early recovery and fewer initial precautions; not ideal for every body type or anatomy.
- Posterior: entry from the back — the most common and versatile approach worldwide, with modern techniques shrinking the old precaution lists dramatically.
- Either way: robotic-assisted planning handles what patients actually worry about — implant position and leg length — regardless of approach.
The question to ask instead
Not "do you do anterior?" but "which approach do you do most, and what are your results with it?" A surgeon deeply practiced in their approach beats a surgeon dabbling in the trendy one, every time. Ours will tell you exactly what they'd use for your anatomy and why — ask them to draw it.
Medically reviewed by Keith W.V. Johnson, MD, FAAOS · Updated September 28, 2026