Severe hip osteoarthritis turns everyday movements into a constant challenge. When walking, driving or putting on your shoes becomes painful, a hip replacement offers a permanent solution. If you want to recover quickly and avoid weeks of restricted movement, anterior hip surgery provides a direct route back to an active lifestyle.
At The London Hip Practice, Professor Richard Field specialises in this muscle-sparing technique, allowing you to walk sooner and with far less discomfort.
A Muscle-Sparing Technique
Standard hip surgeries typically approach the joint from the back or side. This requires the surgeon to cut through major muscles to reach the arthritic bone. Repairing that soft tissue damage slows down your rehabilitation and increases pain after the operation.
The direct anterior approach completely avoids this tissue damage. By entering the hip from the front, the surgeon simply parts the natural gaps between your muscles. They remove the damaged joint and secure your new implant without detaching any tendons. Once the procedure is complete, the muscles slip right back into their original positions.
Why Choose the Anterior Approach
Leaving your supportive muscles intact provides immediate physical advantages. You retain your natural strength, which means your new joint feels stable from the moment you wake up.
This stability drastically reduces the chance of your hip dislocating while it heals. You will also find that your pain levels are significantly lower compared to traditional surgery, reducing your reliance on heavy medication. Because the incision sits discreetly in the groin crease, the resulting scar remains neat and easily hidden.
What to Expect After Surgery
A preserved muscle structure accelerates your timeline for leaving the hospital. You will likely stand and take your first steps on the day of your operation. You will usually stay in the clinic for just one night, while some people are safe to go home the very same afternoon.
Before you leave, a physiotherapist will show you how to move confidently and provide a targeted exercise plan. Because your muscles do not need to heal from surgical cuts, you can often discard your crutches within a couple of weeks. This fast-tracked rehabilitation helps you return to work, driving and light sports much earlier.
Book an Assessment
You do not have to put up with restrictive joint pain. Professor Field provides expert surgical care designed to get you moving freely again.
To discuss your symptoms and find out if anterior hip surgery is the right option for you, please contact The London Hip Practice to secure a private consultation.