Hi, I had Anterior Hip Replacement January 2025. I researched both options of posterior and anterior with 3 different doctors. I chose anterior because I didn’t want my gluteus muscle cut and was concerned about the dislocation possibility with the posterior and the restrictions. I did read that most people at 3 months are at the same place in recovery regardless of which procedure they have…ie, posterior or anterior.
I’m 3 month post surgery and my hip feels great. I had the Mako robotic surgery.
I am however experiencing numbness and a lot of nerve pain on the side of my leg due to having the anterior approach. I started taking Gabapentin within the first week of recovery and it seemed to help. At 2 1/2 months post recovery I tried to ween off of Gabapentin and when I got down to 1 dose (100 mg) I started having sharp electric pains in my outer thigh. I started back on Gabapentin 100mg 3x a day and it wasn’t enough now. I’m now taking 200mg 3x daily and it’s not helping. I’m hoping that the nerve pain I’m feeling is the nerves trying to reconnect to each other. Hopeful thinking at this point but if this doesn’t resolve I will seek a doctor who deals with correcting the nerve pain.
I might have to do my second hip in the future. Would I do Anterior again? No, I don’t think I would. I was worried about nerve pain and now I’m thigh deep in it. I would feel almost perfect from hip replacement if I didn’t have the nerve pain. The incision at the front of my thigh is still painful because it’s right where the leg bends from the torso, but I know that will improve. I iced my hip for 2 months because I’m a big believer in ice therapy. I didn’t have any thigh swelling and any swelling around my incision is gone.
I’m an active 64 year old female and in good shape.
Best to you in your decision for your THR.