Anterior Hip Anatomy

Dr. Harris has hand selected these resources as some of the most helpful and detailed anatomic material available on the direct anterior approach. The articles cover the anatomy and the releases needed to mobilize the femur. The videos show the same anatomy in the cadaver lab and in the operating room.

General resources

• Applied Anatomy of the Direct Anterior Approach for Femoral Mobilization · Rodriguez et al. (2017), JBJS Essential Surgical Techniques. Rodriguez et al. present the anatomy of the anterior hip as it applies to the approach and to mobilization of the femur, and describe their operative technique.
• Algorithmic Soft Tissue Femoral Release in Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty · Chughtai et al. (2019), Arthroplasty Today. Chughtai et al. describe a stepwise sequence of soft tissue releases for femoral exposure and report clinical outcomes in patients in whom the sequence was utilized.
• The Direct Anterior Approach for Hip Revision: Accessing the Entire Femoral Diaphysis Without Endangering the Nerve Supply · Nogler and Thaler (2017), The Journal of Arthroplasty. In a cadaveric study, Nogler and Thaler describe an extension of the approach that reaches the femoral diaphysis while preserving the nerve supply to the vastus lateralis. They propose an anterior wall osteotomy in place of an extended trochanteric osteotomy when implant removal is required.
• Direct Anterior Approach for Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty: Anatomy and Surgical Technique · Siddiqi et al. (2021), Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Siddiqi et al. review patient positioning, surgical anatomy, capsular and soft tissue releases for acetabular exposure, and extensile maneuvers to the pelvis, acetabulum and femur in revision surgery through the direct anterior approach.
• Optimum Anatomic Socket Position and Sizing for the Direct Anterior Approach: Impingement and Instability · Mercer et al. (2019), Arthroplasty Today. Mercer et al. present a strategy for anatomic acetabular component positioning and sizing in direct anterior total hip arthroplasty, and compare sizing and positioning parameters between the anterior and posterior approaches with respect to impingement and instability.
• The Anatomy of the Capsular Releases of the Anterior Approach for THA · VuMedi. A lecture on the sequence of capsular releases, with cadaveric anatomy and intraoperative footage.

Meeting videos

• Anterior Hip Foundation · YouTube. Recorded lectures and technique presentations from the Anterior Hip Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to education in the anterior approach.
• European Anterior Hip Meeting 2026 · VuMedi. Presentations from the 2026 meeting. Earlier years are under the other tabs on the same channel.