Deciding to undergo hip replacement surgery is a significant step towards regaining your mobility. If you have researched modern, muscle-sparing techniques, you already know the advantages of the direct anterior approach: less soft tissue trauma, lower pain levels and a faster return to everyday activities.
Once you decide this is the right procedure for you, the next vital question is: where do you go to get the expert treatment?
Choosing the right clinic and hospital involves looking at two critical factors: the experience of your surgeon and the quality of the surgical facilities. At The London Hip Practice, Professor Richard Field provides anterior hip replacements across several premier hospitals in central London and Surrey, giving you convenient access to world-class orthopaedic care.
What to Look for When Choosing Where to Go
Not every hospital or orthopaedic unit routinely offers the direct anterior approach. Because this is a technically demanding procedure, you should seek out centres that meet specific criteria:
- A High-Volume Specialist: Surgical experience directly affects outcomes. Professor Field introduced the direct anterior approach to The Lister Hospital in 2012. He has completed roughly two thousand anterior procedures, making him the most experienced surgeon using this technique in the UK.
- Advanced Surgical Technology: Top-tier hospitals offer robotic-assisted surgery. Utilising systems like Mako robotic assistance allows for precise, patient-specific 3D planning and accurate implant placement.
- Rapid Rehabilitation Support: The best facilities have integrated physiotherapy teams who understand muscle-sparing recovery protocols, helping you get on your feet safely on the day of your operation.
Clinic and Hospital Locations
To make your care as accessible as possible, Professor Field consults and operates across multiple locations in London and the South East:
The Lister Hospital (Chelsea)
Situated on Chelsea Bridge Road overlooking the Thames, The Lister Hospital is a private hospital equipped with state-of-the-art orthopaedic operating theatres. Here, Professor Field performs anterior hip replacements using both conventional instrumentation and Mako robotic guidance. The dedicated nursing and physiotherapy teams help ensure that most patients return home after just one night. Some patients may be safely discharged on the day of surgery.
The Chelsea Out-Patient Centre (Kings Road)
If you work or live in central London, this facility provides an ideal setting for your initial consultations, clinical examinations, X-rays and routine follow-up appointments. It allows you to complete all your pre-operative assessments in a calm, modern environment without entering a main hospital building.
Spire St Anthony’s Hospital (Cheam, Surrey)
If you live in south-west London, Surrey and the surrounding home counties, Spire St Anthony’s Hospital offers private orthopaedic services. This hospital features advanced diagnostic imaging, modern private en-suite rooms and dedicated surgical suites, allowing you to undergo treatment closer to home.
South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC, Epsom)
Professor Field also leads the academic surgical team at SWLEOC in Epsom, one of the largest and most recognised orthopaedic centres in Europe. This centre is renowned for its high-volume surgical excellence, ongoing clinical research and outstanding safety record.
Planning Your Journey to Recovery
When planning where to have your surgery, consider practical elements. These include your travel time on the day of admission and the ease of returning home after your discharge. Choosing a location close to your support network can make your immediate post-operative period much easier.
During your initial consultation, Professor Field will assess your hip. He will also review your imaging and discuss which hospital location best suits your clinical requirements and personal preferences.
Book Your Anterior Hip Replacement Consultation
You do not have to live with debilitating joint pain. To explore your options for direct anterior hip surgery, contact The London Hip Practice today to arrange an assessment at your preferred clinic location.