What a difference an approach makes! Officially Bi-laterally bionic!

Hello HipRunners!!!  It has been a while since I posted.  On Friday (8/12) I went in for my second THR, 7 1/2 years to the day I had my first one.  Undiagnosed dysplasia meant my hips were ticking time bombs and in 2015 the right was the first to go.

Due to the horrible condition of my hip and my (relatively) young age of 42, several surgeons declined my case.  I did end up with a dysplasia specialist who used the traditional posterior approach.  My result was fantastic and I have been so pleased with the hip (did a 1/2 a couple of years ago) — But, the recovery process was very very tough and slow, much harder than I had anticipated (I’ve written about it here on earlier HR posts).

Fast forward to 2021 and the time had come to start planning for the left hip – it was done.  Went with a new surgeon who specialized in anterior approach.  While the hip was not as bad as the right it was still fairly challenging.

I knew the anterior approach was an easier recovery; watched the process with my father.  Still, I had no idea how much better the recovery would be!!!  I am 4 days post op and I am MILES ahead of where I was with the posterior.  No heavy meds, just Advil/Tylenol; don’t need walker, sleeping well and feeling strong.  I was so dreading getting the second hip done because of the long recovery road the first time.

I know the recovery is a process and I will be patient (I will try!) but I am just so encouraged by my progress at this point had to share with my fellow HipRunners!  I know everyone’s experience with each type of approach is different and there are pros and cons to each, but as someone who has now had both approaches just wanted to throw my two cents out there.

Fellow HipRunners, anyone else done both approaches and have any other comments or experiences?  Is this a fluke?  Am I lucky?

Keep on Keepin’ on everyone!