What is SuperPath® hip replacement?

The surgical technique for a SuperPath® Hip Replacement was developed as an advancement to traditional total hip replacement. The SuperPath® technique is a tissue-sparing procedure which aims to get patients back on their feet within days (possibly hours) instead of weeks or months. A number of patients who have undergone this procedure are able to walk unassisted the day after surgery, and leave the hospital without the typical restrictions (such as crossing their legs) associated with total hip replacement.

With SuperPath®, there is no surgical dislocation of the hip. Patients can also have as little as a 3-inch incision.

It is important to understand that “less invasive” does not only refer to the incision but also means less trauma to the muscles and tendons under the skin. A SuperPath® Hip Replacement is designed to precisely reconstruct the hip without cutting critical tendons and stretching or traumatizing muscles that are important to hip function.

Because of the elimination of damage to these important structures during reconstruction, patients typically have a short hospital stay and a number of patients walk the same day as their surgery.

calender

1.62,3

VS. 3.2 Days length of stay

home

91.5%2,4

VS. 27.3% Discharged home

readmission

2.3%2,4

VS. 4.2% Readmission rate

See if the SuperPath® Tissue-Sparing Hip Procedure is right for you
judd cummings

Surgeon insight

“What excites me most about SuperPATH is the pleased look that the patient gives you when you see him back in the office, the realization that they're now back to an active lifestyle, they're not living in pain, they've had a rapid recovery, and they don't have hip restrictions. Which is something that most of them have heard about from someone prior to undergoing hip replacement surgery, and to realize that they can live their life without those restrictions, and to do it in a pain free way is just phenomenal to experience.”

- Dr. Judd Cummings MD, Scottsdale, AZ

SuperPath® Tissue Sparing Hip Approach

Soft tissue preservation

Leaving muscles undisturbed allows patients to return to rehab activities soon, and promotes a minimalized rehab experience in general. The SuperPath® technique is designed to allow your surgeon to preserve as much soft tissue as possible.

After traditional hip surgery, surgeons usually impose restrictions on certain leg movements because the soft tissues in the joint are traumatized and loose, resulting in a risk of dislocation. The SuperPath® technique avoids trauma and stretching of these tissues, possibly avoiding the need for your doctor to impose restrictions on angular leg movement.1

"SuperPath® is the least traumatic of all surgical approaches to the hip that I have used.”

- Michael Anderson MD, Milwaukee, WI

fast hospital stay

Fast hospital recovery

Because the tissues surrounding the hip are not traumatized, many patients are able to return to mobility within days, rather than weeks or months. A number of patients who have undergone this procedure are able to walk unassisted the day after surgery.

“My patients are sometimes on their feet within 3 to 4 hours after surgery. The doctors who refer them are amazed, and so are the physical therapists.”

– Jimmy Chow MD, Phoenix, AZ

What surgeons are saying about SuperPath®

"The feedback that I'm getting from the patients is very positive. They're very happy with their procedure. They talk to their neighbors, their friends, and they say how well they're doing, and they're very excited about it."

- Dr. Roberto Lugo MD, Port St. Lucie, FL

“So, the top benefits of SuperPath as I see them, are decreased length of stay for patients, and increased level of confidence that the patient has about how they aren't disabled.  They just had a part go bad, and we fixed it, and now they can get back to their normal life.”

- Dr. Dean Olsen MD, Minneapolis, MN

“What excites me most about SuperPath is that I believe that I've found the technique that's going to give my patients the best outcome.”

- Dr. Jerome Zechmann MD, Olympia, WA

“I could quickly see the advantage SuperPATH was having for patients. They would frequently come back to the office, and would be doing things that typically were not experienced by patients until two, or three months after surgery.”

- Dr. Judd Cummings MD, Scottsdale, AZ

“We see patients many months after the fact, describing circumstances where their hips are feeling better, feeling more natural, feeling more normal than their maybe contralateral hip that was done in another technique.”

- Dr. Jimmy Chow MD, Phoenix, AZ

“When patients come after SuperPath hip replacement into the clinic, some of them are walking without an assistive device, and some will say "Oh my god, I feel amazing. I can't believe how good I'm doing." So, basically they are very stunned to see the results of this amazing surgery.” 

- Dr. Chandrika Lotwala, Glendale, AZ

SuperPath Hip Approach Patient Experiences

Patient resources

Five Things to Ask Your Hip Surgeon

Five things to ask your hip surgeon

More
Hip Replacement FAQ

Hip replacement FAQ

More

PRECAUTIONS & DISCLAIMERS

Every patient is different, and individual results will vary. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery. Consult your doctor to determine if joint replacement surgery is right for you.

Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery. Please click here to read about risks associated with surgery. Only a physician can tell you if this product and associated procedure are right for you and your unique circumstances. Please consult with a physician for complete information regarding benefits, risks and possible outcomes.

These surgeons are paid consultants for MicroPort Orthopedics. The opinions expressed are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of MicroPort Orthopedics Inc.

  • References
    1. J Chow. “Modified Micro-Superior Percutaneously-Assisted Total Hip: Early Experiences & Case Reports.” Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine (2011) 4:146–155.
    2. As compared to traditional hip arthroplasty. Gofton W, Chow J, Olsen KD, Fitch DA. Thirty-day readmission rate and discharge status following hip arthroplasty using the supercapsular percutaneously-assisted total hip surgical technique. Int Orthop 2015;39:847-51.
    3. As compared to traditional hip arthroplasty. AHRQ HCUPnet (2012) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality H-CUPnet Database, ICD-9-CM Code 81.51 for United States in 2011. http://hcupnet.ahrq. gov/HCUPnet.jsp. Accessed 4 Sept 2014.
    4. As compared to traditional hip arthroplasty. Pugely AJ, Callagham JJ, Martin CT, Cram P, Gao Y (2013) Incidence of and risk factors for 30-day readmission following elective primary total joint arthroplasty: analysis from the ACS-NSQIP. J Arthroplast. 28(9):1499-1504. doi:10.1016/ j.arth.2013.06.032