Hip replacement surgical approaches

Oh my!! I had the anterior approach on the Hana table and I was left with a nerve in the front of the leg either being damaged or cut, the surgeon wouldn't admit to either, so now I have leg problems on that side. I do have herniated and bulging discs in the spine with a spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 and no spine surgeon will operate on the spine. My surgeon never told me what could happen. He kept telling me the leg pain would go away in a year. That didn't happen and now he told me 2 years. In April of this year it'll be 2 years and still problems. I did find a wonderful PT and she's helping me so much. I think the pulling apart of the muscles during surgery causes a lot of problems but I don't know how it would be if the muscles were cut. Make sure you get PT. I know I had to do a hip replacement, but I think I would have considered posterior or the side of the leg, not the front. Good luck.

I found an article that Mayo suggested a shot of anti-inflammatory if one has the numbness and tingling of the leg like I did, but the surgeon never told me about this and you need the treatment quickly, so the shot was out for me. I wish these doctors would keep up on information or new treatments and not be arrogant.

Same here: anterior approach 13 months ago and still have pain, MRI shows tendinopathy in two tendons and a slight tear in one of the tendons. Doctor never told me about these results. He just kept telling me to give it more time. Also have lower back problems and now I have a leg that is 5mm shorter. Yes, in hindsight, I would’ve considered the posterior method. I start PT again this month.

My goodness!! I am going to talk to my primary about your MRI results if that could be an answer to my leg pain. The surgeon kept telling me the same thing, will take another year. My leg length is proper, but the back pain is getting worse. I am in my third round of PT. Good luck to you.

I have a call into the FDA to see if there are other complaints and any law suits. I think it's time to stop this procedure and table.

Thank you for your response! I have heard wonderful things about the benefits of PT-- I am glad you will have that. I think it's very hopeful regarding improvements.
I was wondering if you had any worsening of your back problems with discs from the Torque of the HANA table? I guess torque is the rotation and extension used for the anterior approach.
The thing that has me so freaked out is tge way this Ortho pivoted his recommendation from anterior to posterior approach when I merely asked if it would any more difficult on the left side where most of my leg pain from the bulging discs is located...apparently bulging out and hitting nerve on that side. If my surgery had gone forward on either of the cancelled dates, it was scheduled to be bilateral anterior approach which he was saying would be so great with immediate relief of groin pain and easy recovery. He knew, saw, and discussed my MRI on the 1st preop and recommended anterior approach. Now he's recommending posterior...he says he'll do 1 or both hips, anterior or posterior, but doesn't want me to say he hurt my back if I do anterior. I am confused and more scared...I had accepted the anterior. I don't know if that HANA table is a problem or not...I liked the idea of nerve block and sedation vs general anesthesia with intubation in posterior...he says he doesn't cut muscles, but just moves tendons out of the way in either procedure...he gives no guarantee on incision lengths...just said a well placed implant is most important...either I trust him or not...if I have any apprehension, don't do it. I wish I knew more. You're right, there's more info needed in discussing options. Was your back impacted by the HANA table? Thank you again.

Thank you for your response. Did you have any back issues before your procedure or started after? I have heard good things about PT. I hope that it helps. I heard about the leg length issues. I was told if I do 1 hip at a time, the leg length issue will be fixed on second operation. It's about 6 month wait for that second operation in my area. I don't know if you will be having second hip done.

Yes, I have had lower back issues for years (right side-same side as hip replaced). I do not think I had any issues from the table.
I do not need a replacement of my left hip. Good luck to you. It’s also complicated and confusing.

PT is a must if you go ahead. I found a great therapist in MN that has helped me after doing 3 sessions at Mayo. I liked the nerve block and sedation too as I take hours to wake up. I was suppose to stay overnight but due to complications ended up spending 8 days. They don't cut muscles with the anterior approach but they use retractors and pull them apart. My mid and low back are painful after the surgery and now at almost 2 years later, the pain is worse in the back. I think you need a second opinion.

I did call the FDA here in MN and she gave me some places to call about this table being looked into as damaging people. I am also going to seek out a medical malpractice attorney because of other problems with the surgery.

Good luck and keep asking more questions. I wish I could find people in my area who had this done and ask questions, but luckily we have Connect.

Similar experience here. It is “comforting” to know it’s not just me!