A direct anterior approach to hip replacement surgery leads to a shorter recovery time, NBC-2 reports.
According to Fort Myers, Fla.-based Lee Health orthopedic surgeon Daniel J. Harmon, DO, the muscle-sparing approach leads to an easier recovery, improved return to ambulation and less use of walking aids and narcotics.
The anterior approach is intended to allow patients to get up and move hours after surgery, and many go home the same day as the procedure.
"We're able to just divide the muscles to get down to the hip joint rather than having to detach muscles and then reattach them at the end," Dr. Harmon told NBC-2.