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Send us a text Learning the anterior approach to total hip arthroplasty doesn't follow a straight line. Dr. Joe Schwab shares what happened when improving his femoral technique unexpectedly made his acetabular work feel worse—and why that unsettling experience taught him more than any single complication. This episode is for orthopedic surgeons and trainees navigating the anterior approach learning curve, especially those who feel like their progress isn't linear. Joe walks through his own journey from posterior-trained resident to anterior-focused surgeon, including the cognitive challenges that don't show up in technique videos or course materials. He explains why the learning curve feels more like riding ocean waves than climbing a ladder, and offers practical guidance for managing the psychological demands of mastering a complex approach. If you're somewhere in the middle of your anterior journey and wondering whether the struggle is normal, this conversation will help you understand what's happening beneath the surface—and give you permission to keep moving forward thoughtfully. ⏱ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and disclaimer 01:08 Starting anterior approach out of the gate 04:51 The first plateau: getting good enough 06:10 The femur breakthrough and surprise setback 09:21 Understanding what was really happening 11:19 The waves: changing mindset over technique 13:58 What I wish someone had told me 16:19 Practical takeaways for surgeons on this path Listen to the AHF Podcast on your preferred platform: Buzzsprout: https://ahfpodcast.buzzsprout.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahf-podcast/id1749521487 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CrGJyvRiQFTCU3FFFVvHc This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The content discussed does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional judgment. Clinicians should rely on their own training, experience, and clinical decision-making when applying information from this discussion.

Send us a text An engaging, AMA‑style deep dive into how to actually manage lateral femoral cutaneous nerve problems after anterior approach THA—from “my thigh feels weird” numbness to true neuroma‑level pain that drives patients crazy. In this Ask Me Anything episode, host Joe Schwab answers a real listener question from Dr. Tim Keating: “What is your treatment algorithm for patients with LFCN dysesthesia, neuroma, and other lasting bothersome effects?” Drawing on both the meralgia paresthetica literature and his own practice patterns, Joe lays out a clear, stepwise pathway you can put to work on Monday morning. You’ll learn: •Why most post‑op LFCN changes are benign neuropraxias that need education and reassurance, not intervention •How to structure medical management for persistent neuropathic symptoms: neuropathic agents, topical therapy, and desensitization strategies •When an ultrasound‑guided LFCN block becomes both a powerful diagnostic tool and a therapeutic option •Which small subset of patients might benefit from surgery (neurolysis, neurectomy/neuroma excision) and how to frame the “trade numbness for pain relief” conversation •Where to draw the line and pivot to multidisciplinary pain management instead of chasing endless procedures If you do anterior approach total hips—or you’re counseling patients who are living with anterior‑based LFCN symptoms—this algorithmic walkthrough will help you standardize decisions, protect patients, and avoid overtreating harmless numbness while still taking real pain seriously. 👇 Join the conversation What’s your approach to LFCN dysesthesia and neuroma after anterior THA? Did we miss a key step, study, or technique? Drop your own algorithm, pearls, or favorite references in the comments so others can learn from your experience. ⸻ 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get podcasts 📺 Watch more from the Anterior Hip Foundation (AHF): YouTube @AnteriorHipFoundation 🗓️ New episodes: Fridays Host: Joseph M. Schwab, MD ⸻ ⚠️ Medical disclaimer: This content is for education and professional discussion only and is not medical advice. Patient details have been de-identified. #AHFPodcast #AHFPodAMA #AnteriorHipFoundation #AHF #AnteriorApproach #TotalHipArthroplasty #HipReplacement #Orthopaedics #MedicalEducation

Send us a text Protecting the Tensor Fascia Lata in Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty 🎥 Welcome to the AHF Podcast! Join host Joe Schwab as he dives deep into a revealing and award-winning study on tensor fascia lata (TFL) injury during anterior approach total hip arthroplasty with special guest H. John Cooper. Dr. Cooper shares insights from his prospective study presented at the 2025 AHF annual meeting, discussing how often TFL injuries occur, the critical steps to minimize such injuries, and how these findings can influence surgical techniques. This episode is packed with invaluable tips for surgeons at all levels, emphasizing the importance of preserving the TFL for optimal patient outcomes. 🏥💪  ⸻ Are you interested in presenting a scientific paper, case report, or technique video/paper at the 2026 AHF Annual Meeting? Check out our Call For Submissions here: https://anteriorhipfoundation.com/ahf-2026-nashville/anterior-hip-foundation-2026-call-for-submissions-2026/ Make sure you hurry, submission deadline is March 1st, 2026! ⸻ 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get podcasts 📺 Watch more from the Anterior Hip Foundation (AHF): YouTube @AnteriorHipFoundation 🗓️ New episodes: Fridays Host: Joseph M. Schwab, MD Guest: H. John Cooper, MD ⸻ ⚠️ Medical disclaimer: This content is for education and professional discussion only and is not medical advice. Patient details have been de-identified. #AHFPodcast #AHFCallForSubmissions #AnteriorHipFoundation #AHF #AnteriorApproach #TotalHipArthroplasty #HipReplacement #Orthopaedics #MedicalEducation

Send us a text To WATCH this episode on YouTube, go here: https://youtu.be/6uohJmxA-eo In Episode 2 of Operation FUBAR, Dr. Ben Feibel (adult hip & knee reconstruction, Louisiana) walks us through a case that began with a familiar challenge — “I bet you can’t fix that” — and evolved into a humbling sequence of decisions, revisions, and hard-earned lessons. One thing that makes Operation FUBAR different: I don’t see the cases ahead of time. No slides. No roadmap. That’s intentional — so the reactions, questions, and conversation can stay spontaneous and genuine. 🎧✨ This episode explores reconstruction after a prior Girdlestone procedure, recurrent instability, and the moment when a case shifts from what can be done to what needs to be done. It’s also an honest look at the emotional weight that complications can carry — especially early in practice. What we cover 🧠🔧 Complex reconstruction after prior Girdlestone + significant shorteningAnterior approach considerations in challenging anatomy and tight soft tissuesEarly instability and recurrent dislocationEscalation strategy: length/offset changes, dual mobility, modular stemsAdvanced imaging (CT) and robotic-assisted cup placement (Mako)Patient counseling when complications accumulate 💬The “warrior mindset” vs. surgical restraint ⚖️Why this matters 🎯 This isn’t a victory lap. It’s a real conversation about judgment under pressure, humility, and the importance of talking openly about complications and limitations — because that honesty is part of the work. ⸻ 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get podcasts 📺 Watch more from the Anterior Hip Foundation (AHF): YouTube @AnteriorHipFoundation 🗓️ New episodes: Fridays Host: Joseph M. Schwab, MD Guest: Ben Feibel, MD ⸻ ⚠️ Medical disclaimer: This content is for education and professional discussion only and is not medical advice. Patient details have been de-identified. #AHFPodcast #AHFTravelingFellowship #AnteriorHipFoundation #AHF #AnteriorApproach #TotalHipArthroplasty #HipReplacement #RevisionTHA #Orthopaedics #SurgicalComplications #MedicalEducation

Send us a text Reflections & Insights: AHF 2025 Traveling Fellowship - Part II The end of the year is a period of reflection for the Anterior Hip Foundation (AHF). In this episode, host Joe Schwab takes a deep dive into the accomplishments of the AHF in 2025 and previews the exciting developments for 2026. Join us for a special two-part interview series with our 2025 AHF Traveling Fellows. Learn what sets the AHF apart and why it feels more like a family than just an organization. Curious about becoming a part of the AHF community? Attend the AHF 2026 Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, themed 'Consensus and Controversy.' Discover the unique opportunities the AHF Traveling Fellowship offers early career orthopedic surgeons to refine their anterior hip arthroplasty techniques, expand their perspectives, and form lifelong professional connections. Meet our guests: Jeremy Kubick, Qais Naziri, Michael Field, and Dr. Alex Sah, as they share their transformative experiences and insights. Don't miss this inspiring episode! 🎙️🦴 #AHFPodcast #AHFTravelingFellowship #AnteriorHipFoundation Helpful Links: AHF 2026 Annual Meeting: https://anteriorhipfoundation.com/ahf-2026-nashville/ AHF 2026 Traveling Fellowship: https://anteriorhipfoundation.com/ahf-2026-traveling-fellowship/

Send us a text Reflections & Insights: AHF 2025 Traveling Fellowship - Part I The end of the year is a period of reflection for the Anterior Hip Foundation (AHF). In this episode, host Joe Schwab takes a deep dive into the accomplishments of the AHF in 2025 and previews the exciting developments for 2026. Join us for a special two-part interview series with our 2025 AHF Traveling Fellows. Learn what sets the AHF apart and why it feels more like a family than just an organization. Curious about becoming a part of the AHF community? Attend the AHF 2026 Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, themed 'Consensus and Controversy.' Discover the unique opportunities the AHF Traveling Fellowship offers early career orthopedic surgeons to refine their anterior hip arthroplasty techniques, expand their perspectives, and form lifelong professional connections. Meet our guests: Jeremy Kubick, Qais Naziri, Michael Field, and Dr. Alex Sah, as they share their transformative experiences and insights. Don't miss this inspiring episode! 🎙️🦴 #AHFPodcast #AHFTravelingFellowship #AnteriorHipFoundation Helpful Links: AHF 2026 Annual Meeting: https://anteriorhipfoundation.com/ahf-2026-nashville/ AHF 2026 Traveling Fellowship: https://anteriorhipfoundation.com/ahf-2026-traveling-fellowship/

Send us a text What does it really take to become a great hip surgeon — not just technically excellent, but trusted by patients, teams, and colleagues around the world? 🦴🌍 In this episode of the AHF Podcast, host Joe Schwab sits down with Dr. Michael Solomon, a high-volume hip and knee surgeon based in Sydney, Australia, who has performed over 10,000 hip and knee replacements and more than 900 joint replacements per year. Together, they dive into: How a young medical student from South Africa became a global leader in hip surgery 🇿🇦➡️🇦🇺The mentors who shaped his approach — including legendary figures like Des Dall, John Steven, and Michael MillisWhy Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) became such a key part of his practice, and how he navigated the learning curve without becoming a zealot about any single approachWhere Anterior Approach fits (and where it doesn’t) in complex and high-risk patientsThe role of periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) and hip preservation in young patientsHow to set realistic patient expectations and why deep infection remains the complication that keeps him up at nightThe importance of team culture, consistency, and routines in the OR — and why “don’t take shortcuts” may be the most important surgical rule of allAdvice for young surgeons on building a career: volume, humility, mentorship, and playing the long game 🧠💡Dr. Solomon also shares his perspective on becoming a leader in the Anterior Approach community, his involvement with the Anterior Hip Foundation (AHF), and how collaboration, data, and honest conversations are reshaping modern hip surgery. If you’re a hip surgeon, trainee, or just someone facing hip surgery and wanting to better understand your options, this conversation is packed with insight, nuance, and practical wisdom. 🎧 👉 If you enjoy this episode, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your questions or future topic ideas. You can also find the AHF Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your favorite podcast apps, as well as in video form here on YouTube. #AnteriorApproach #AHFPodcast #AnteriorHipFoundation #AHF

Send us a text 🎙️ Operation FUBAR: The Case No One Wanted with Dr. John Horberg 🌟 | AHF Podcast Welcome to the AHF Podcast! Join host Joe Schwab as we launch our new mini-series, Operation FUBAR! In this episode, Dr. John Horberg, an expert in anterior approach hip surgeries, walks us through a complex case full of unexpected challenges and innovative solutions. 🌟 Learn about the true ingenuity required when surgeries don't go as planned, and gain valuable insights into surgical problem-solving. Make sure to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay updated on new episodes! Watch me on YouTube! #AHFPodcast #AnteriorHipFoundation #AnteriorApproach #OperationFUBAR 

Send us a text Great Debate: To Screw or Not to Screw in Hip Arthroplasty 🎙️ Join host Joe Schwab for the thrilling finale of the AHF podcast's Great Debates series! In this episode, we're diving into the contentious topic of acetabular fixation with Dr. Michael Blankstein and Dr. Nicholas Mast. 💥 Dr. Blankstein argues that every cup deserves a good screw, emphasizing their safety, ease, and crucial role in complex surgeries. Meanwhile, Dr. Mast contends that modern implant designs make screws obsolete, likening their use to reinforcing a sturdy bridge with duct tape. 🤔 Who's right in this orthopedic face-off? Tune in to find out! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments. 🧠🔧 #AHFPodcast #GreatDebates #AnteriorHipFoundation

Send us a text Great Debate: Obesity does not need to be optimized prior to Anterior Approach 🚶‍♂️🦿🩺 Welcome to the AHF podcast! In this episode, host Joe Schwab brings us an engaging and humorous debate on a pivotal question: 'Do we really need to optimize obesity before an anterior hip replacement?' Dr. Nicholas Webber and Dr. Todd Kelley go head-to-head, using props and personal anecdotes to present their cases. Dr. Webber argues against the necessity of optimization, citing his experience with anterior approaches, while Dr. Kelley counters with the merits of patient participation in their own optimization. Tune in for a lively discussion filled with insights, laughter, and a live demonstration. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share! #AHFPodcast #GreatDebates #AnteriorHipFoundation

Send us a text Great Debate: Does the Hip-Spine Relationship Matter for Anterior Approach? 🎙️ Join Joe Schwab in this intriguing episode of the AHF Podcast, where Dr. Nathaniel Nelms and Dr. Edwin Su debate a hot topic in orthopedics: 'Does the hip-spine relationship really matter for the anterior approach?' With thoughtful arguments from both sides, this episode delves into the importance of biomechanics and surgical techniques to achieve stable, durable, and predictable hip replacements. Whether you're a surgeon or simply interested in the nuances of anterior hip surgery, this discussion will sharpen your thinking! 💬 📌 Tags: #AHFPodcast #GreatDebates #AnteriorHipFoundation

Send us a text The Great Debate: Is the Bikini Incision Best for Anterior Approach Total Hip? In this episode, we dive into a spirited debate on the bikini incision in anterior approach total hip surgeries. 🏥✨ Surgeons Brandon Naylor and Neil Sheth tackle the pros and cons of this technique. Does it lead to better cosmetic outcomes and improved wound healing, or does it come with increased risks? Let's hear their perspectives and some eye-opening data! 🩺🦴 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share! #AnteriorHipFoundation #GreatDebates #BikiniIncision

Send us a text The Great Debate: HANA Table vs. Standard Operating Table for Anterior Hip Replacement Welcome to the AHF Podcast! In this second episode of the 2025 Great Debates series, host Joe Schwab introduces a spirited discussion on the use of HANA tables versus standard operating tables for anterior hip replacement. Surgeons Dr. Tania Ferguson and Dr. Atul Kamath present their cases—Ferguson advocating for the HANA table, citing its efficiency and reduced muscular injury, while Kamath argues for the versatility and cost-effectiveness of standard tables. This debate dives deep into technology, cost, surgical techniques, and the importance of the surgeon's skill. Join us for a compelling discussion that blends expert insights with a bit of humor. Don't forget to subscribe and share your thoughts in the comments! 🎙️🦴✨ Dr. Ferguson’s slide can be found here: https://youtu.be/3rwzuWt44yY?si=Rtqd6sRqDe8JJ_4y&t=470 Dr. Kamath’s slide can be found here: https://youtu.be/3rwzuWt44yY?si=PVp0pfdqeIsSwqU3&t=428

Send us a text Great Debates Return at 2025 AHF Annual Meeting: Collared vs. Collarless Stems 🏆 Welcome to the AHF podcast, hosted by Joe Schwab. In this episode, we bring back the Great Debates at the 2025 Anterior Hip Foundation (AHF) annual meeting. The episode dives into the spirited debate about 'Collared Stems vs. Collarless Stems' with Gillian Soles advocating for collared stems and Steve Lochow making the case for collarless stems. With a series of timed arguments and rebuttals, both presenters provide evidence and personal insights into the superiority of their respective approaches to the anterior hip replacement. The debate covers topics such as stability, revision rates, and ease of use. It promises to be both informative and entertaining. Tune in to see who comes out on top! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave your comments. 🏅

Send us a text Transforming Hip Surgery from 2D to 3D: Insights on Anterior Approach and Advanced Tools 🦾👨‍⚕️ In this episode of the AHF Podcast, host Joe Schwab discusses the revolution in anterior approach total hip replacement surgery with Dr. George Haidukewych from Orlando Health and Dr. Brad Waddell from the Carrell Clinic. The conversation explores the impact of 2D and 3D preoperative planning tools on shaping implant choices, enhancing accuracy in complex cases, and guiding intraoperative execution. Key technologies discussed include Smith+Nephew's CORIOGRAPH◊ pre-op planning, RI.Hip Solutions, CATALYSTEM◊ primary hip system, and the CORI◊ Surgical System. This episode highlights how precise planning and cutting-edge tools contribute to better patient outcomes and streamlined surgical procedures.  This episode is sponsored by Smith+Nephew. Learn more at smith-nephew.com