I’ve needed left hip replacement since 2019, of course Covid hit and my expected wait time in my home City when I went back to see the osteo consultant last year was another is 4 years on the NHS.
So I went on the search to see what else was available as I’m fortunate to be able to go privately for my surgery: I kept coming back to Superpath. There are a very small number of surgeons doing this in the UK. It’s available privately and on NHS if you live in England. It’s a posterior entry surgery but done in a minimally invasive way (pulling muscles and tendons back rather than cutting them). Anterior also seeks to preserve muscle and tendons but the benefit for me of Superpath is should they need to revert to traditional posterior approach depending on what they find they could as part of the same surgery.
So Monday was my day, taken first thing, awake throughout as spinal used, up on crutches in the afternoon when anaesthetic wore off and up and down stairs by later afternoon. Wow. If I’d lived locally (I had to travel as this method is not available where I live) then I’d have been home that evening. 6cm incision and a puncture.
Stayed in a hotel last night and about to travel a 6 hour journey home. I imagine that will not be comfortable but lots of stopping and moving will be needed.
I’m hopeful as no muscle and tendons cut I’ll have an easier recovery but that remains to be seen. I’m still expecting a couple of weeks of discomfort.
I realise it’s not possible for everyone to select their method and surgeon but for those who can I wanted to share this lesser known approach.