Anterior Hip Replacements

What is Minimally Invasive Hip Surgery?

Minimally invasive hip surgery via the direct anterior approach means no muscles are required to be cut to enter the hip joint. This preserves the integrity of the surrounding soft tissues, potentially contributing to a shorter hospital stay, shorter rehabilitation, and decreased post-operative pain.

Purpose-built instruments and devices maximise precision when performing a total hip replacement, minimising soft tissue damage and allowing excellent visualisation throughout the procedure.

Intra-operative X-rays are taken during every operation to confirm alignment, leg length, and accuracy of the hip implant — enabling small changes to be made to maximise accuracy of the final prosthesis.

Is the Direct Anterior Approach Right for You?

There are multiple approaches used to obtain an excellent result from hip replacement surgery. Dr Liew only performs the direct anterior approach for primary (first time) hip replacement surgery, and few patients are not suitable for it.

The Australian body of hip replacement surgeons agrees that the best approach is the one that your surgeon is well trained in and comfortable with. All patients are recommended to seek multiple opinions from medical professionals, physiotherapists, family, friends, and other patients to determine the best option for them.

How to See Dr Liew

A referral to see a specialist is required. A GP is a good starting point to determine whether you need to see a surgeon at all. Once it is established that you need a hip replacement, a referral is made to an orthopaedic specialist.

Private health insurance is required to see Dr Liew privately.

Please bring to your first appointment:

1. GP Referral letter
2. Private Health Card and Medicare Card
3. Loose pants or shorts (for examination)
4. Recent X-rays and relevant scans of your hip

Frequently Asked Questions