Hi, @JustinMcClanahan Thanks for moving my post to the proper category.

Basically, yes, what seems to be the situation is that ortho docs do the approach they like to use.
What I want is the approach best for me.
It would be refreshing to hear a doctor say: "You know. I think that with your situation, I would recommend you see a doctor that uses this approach."
Instead they are willing to use whatever approach they use to handle every situation. Can that possibly be correct?

The one who would use the anterior approach also does do posterior and has for about 14 years. He said that because of the fusing, he would probably have to open the incision longer than normal which could lead to it opening up, etc., later which would require a visit to the wound center. Plus I am overweight and that can cause problems with belly fat. Why even suggest that then?

The other only does posterior and has for 30 years. I worry that the posterior approach would injure my atrophied muscles -- already seen as atrophied/fatty on an MRI and confirmed by other docs -- but this doc says he doesn't think my muscles are as weak as others have told me. So what am I to believe?

Plus neither have mentioned -- other than saying I would need a shoe lift, which I already use now -- if they would have to cut off any more bone before inserting the femoral stem -- making my leg even shorter. Depending on which doctors I believe (2 say no/3 say yes) I do or do not have idiopathic avascular necrosis and can mean weakened bone.

I've also read that it is important to find a doc who does a lot of hip replacements.
So the one who would do anterior hips also does shoulders -- about 150 surgeries a year.
The one who does hips also does knees -- about 60 hips and 140 knees a year.
Are those enough? How do I choose?

I know there are no promises in surgery but it sure would be nice if the docs themselves really looked at each case and brought up the various points instead of a patient having to try to remember what to ask -- so they aren't surprised at the outcome. It all seems so much like an "assembly line."