Advanced Muscle-Sparing Joint Replacement
Joint replacement has advanced, most recently with new muscle-sparing advancements in knee replacement. Learn how OrthoUnited's fellowship-trained surgeons are preserving healthy muscle and supporting faster recovery for qualifying patients.
What Is the Muscle-Sparing Approach?
During a muscle-sparing joint replacement, the surgeon works around key muscles whenever possible, rather than cutting through them. Think of it like taking the scenic route instead of driving through the middle of town. By preserving healthy muscle, the goal is to minimize disruption to the body's natural anatomy while replacing the damaged joint.
Muscle-sparing hip replacement has been a proven option for years. What's new, and where our surgeons are focused right now, is bringing that same approach to the knee, using a quadriceps-sparing technique that's one of the most significant advancements in joint replacement today.
Muscle-Sparing Knee Replacement: The Newest Advancement
For qualifying patients, our specialists offer a quadriceps-sparing approach to knee replacement, one of the newest techniques our surgeons are bringing to Northeast Ohio.
Key Highlights & Potential Patient Benefits:
- Avoids cutting into the quadriceps tendon
- Minimizes disruption to the vastus medialis, the muscle that supports the kneecap
- Designed to help patients regain knee extension and bend more efficiently
- May support a quicker return to walking, stairs, and standing from a seated position
Whether this approach is right for you depends on your knee anatomy, which your surgeon will evaluate during your consultation.
Muscle-Sparing Hip Replacement: A Proven Option
Muscle-sparing hip replacement has been available for years, and our fellowship-trained surgeons continue to offer it for qualifying patients using the direct anterior (DA) approach. This technique works through a natural interval between muscles rather than detaching key hip muscles like the gluteus medius and external rotators. Your surgeon can walk you through whether it's the right fit for your hip condition.
Potential Patient Benefits:
- Designed to preserve healthy muscles and surrounding soft tissue
- May help reduce post-operative pain and the need for pain medication for some patients
- Can support earlier mobility after surgery
Is This Approach Right for You?
It's natural to feel nervous about joint replacement, especially if you've heard stories about long, difficult recoveries. Joint replacement today looks very different than it did even ten years ago.
At OrthoUnited, surgery is never the first step. Our specialists start by exploring non-surgical options, like physical therapy, medication, and injections, and only recommend joint replacement when it's the best path forward for your health and quality of life.
Not every patient qualifies for the muscle-sparing approach. Your anatomy, diagnosis, and overall health all play a role in determining whether it's the right fit, and every treatment plan is personalized because every patient is unique. The best way to learn if this technique is appropriate for you is to schedule a one-on-one evaluation with one of our fellowship-trained joint replacement specialists.
- Will surgery hurt?
We use a comprehensive pain-management plan before, during, and after surgery. - How quickly will I recover?
Many patients begin standing and walking the same day as surgery, with therapy starting right away. - Am I a candidate?
Your surgeon will evaluate your anatomy and health history to determine if you qualify.
Meet the Specialists Offering Muscle-Sparing Joint Replacement
Why Choose OrthoUnited
- Fellowship-trained joint replacement specialists
- Advanced, muscle-sparing surgical techniques when appropriate
- Orthopedic-focused care from consultation through rehabilitation
- Coordinated physical therapy, right on-site
- Personalized treatment plans, not one-size-fits-all care
- Convenient, local care across Northeast Ohio
- A continued commitment to bringing proven advancements to our community
Ready to learn if the muscle-sparing approach is right for you?
Disclaimer: Individual results and recovery vary depending on the patient and their overall health. The muscle-sparing approach is not appropriate for every patient. Your surgeon will help determine whether you're a candidate.
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