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528 Chama, N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87108 http://www.cbass.com |
From The Desk Of Clarence Bass
By Clarence and Carol Bass
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FRONTAL HIP REPLACEMENT NOW THE MOST COMMON APPROACH
The October 2025 issue of Cleveland Clinic's Arthritis Advisor explains why, something I wrote about in 2006 when I had my first hip replaced by Doctor Stefan Kreuzer using that approach: an easier recovery, less pain, and a lower risk of dislocation with the frontal approach.
Dr. Deren of the Cleveland Clinic explains: "With any approach to the hip, you have to cut muscle, but with the anterior approach we don't have to cut the big muscles around the hip."
I had my other hip replaced a decade or so later using the same approach. I was walking the day following both surgeries. Carol and I walked around the field near our motel the day after the first surgery and I climbed stairs the day after the second replacement by Dr. Werner, a local surgeon schooled by Dr. Kreuzer.
Your surgeon will probably determine the best approach. When I had my first problem, I told my doctor here in Albuquerque about a surgeon in Houston who was doing a frontal approach and he said, "Go see him."
That's what I did.
My doctor here wrote a letter introducing me.
In my case, I wanted to get back to training as soon as possible. Others may want to get back to work or something else they enjoy as soon as possible.
That could not have been better in my case. I was walking in the street in front of our house the day I got home from having my first hip replaced in Houston.
As I said above, I walked up stairs the day after my second hip replacement.
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Arthritis Advisor tells us that most people are sore a couple of days after the surgery, and many people use a walker for a couple of weeks. We brought a walker home from Houston, but the only place I used it was down the walkway after getting off the airplane.
They gave me pain medicine after the second replacement, but I only took one pill after I got home the day after the surgery.
I believe they gave me something for pain in Houston, but I only took it for a day or two, when I decided I didn't need it any more.
Arthritis Advisor tells us that some people even experience an improvement in their pain level after surgery because their arthritic hip does not hurt any more.
Most people, however, are sore for a couple of days after surgery, and many people use a walker for a couple of weeks.
They may also require pain medication for a few days to a few weeks.
Going into surgery strong improves recovery. I believe that was true in my case. Go in strong and come out strong, ready for recovery.
Some people will get better faster, and others will need a little more time. It probably has to do with their own individual tolerance for pain and how much muscle they have beforehand.
Activities are usually restricted for the time it takes the bone to grow into the implants.
Doctors recommend taking it easy for a few weeks and avoid falling down.
"Don't do anything more strenuous than walking or going up and down stairs. After that, you gradually start doing more and more."
In short, use common sense and do more and more as your hip recovers.
With both of my hips, my doctors left it up to me to slowly make my way back to normal. They counted on me to feel my way along to full recovery.
My lifetime of training helped me to that. I was careful because I wanted the best result.
My guess is that your surgeon will give you the advice they think you need.
I now have two new hips that work fine. They would tell me if I go over the line.
This photo shows my hips. You'd never know they were replaced, the legs look strong. You can't see any difference.
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Use common sense and feel your way into training.
If it hurts don't do it. That goes for your whole body.
If you need help, see your surgeon or primary care doctor.
Lastly, do what makes sense. You decide what, if any, help you need.
When I got out of the operating rooms, I was pretty much on my own.
Don't hesitate to see your surgeon or primary care doctor if your hip or hips act up. I never had any problems. My hips felt a little traumatized for a few days but nothing to speak of.
For more detailed information on my hip replacements see https://www.cbass.com/Hiprep.htm and https://www.cbass.com/hiprep2_2.html
September 1, 2025
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