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Minimally-Invasive Total Hip Replacement

New minimally-invasive hip replacement makes surgery easier on you. Thanks to a smaller incision, there is less trauma to underlying muscle and soft tissue. The result? Patients benefit from a smaller scar, less post-operative pain and a faster return to normal activities. In fact, minimally-invasive hip replacement allows recovery in half the time of traditional hip replacement surgery.(1)

The thought of major surgery is enough to make most people cringe, but a minimally-invasive techenique can make the whole experience a lot better. Anesthesia, pain medication, blood loss, hospital time and complications -- all these can be significantly reduced with minimally-invasive hip replacement.(1-2) You can get back to your life, back to what is important, faster and with less downtime than ever before.

This new procedure far surpasses the older approach in terms of minimizing trauma; reducing complications; and hastening patient recovery. The chart below speaks for itself. As you can see, minimally-invasive hip replacement cuts the recovery time in half over traditional hip replacement surgery. Thanks to a smaller incision, the operation itself becomes less invasive and more precise. This creates many patient benefits, including:
  • Less anesthesia
  • Decreased blood loss
  • Reduced post-operative pain, which means less pain medication during recovery
  • Lower risk of complications, including heart and lung problems
Traditional Hip Replacement Surgery Minimally-Invasive Hip Replacement Surger
Incision Size 8 - 10 inches 3 - 4 inches
Duration of Surgery 83 minutes 50 minutes
Hospital Stay 5 - 7 days 3 - 4 days
Recovery Time 12 Weeks 4 - 6 Weeks


1. Swanson, Todd V., M.D., Hanna, Rammy S., M.D., "Advantages of Cementless THA Using Minimally Invasive Surgical Technique." Exhibit at 2003 AAOS Meeting, New Orleans, LA

2. Chimento GF, Sculco TP. "Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement." Operative Techniques in Orthopaedics. 2001;11(4):270-3
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Some Content Courtesy of Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics