Rapid Return hip replacement

The Röttinger® approach is a muscle-sparing surgical technique where your surgeon works between the muscles to reach the hip, instead of cutting through them. This means the muscles stay stronger and don’t need as much time to heal. Because of this, many patients start walking again just a few hours after surgery.

The Röttinger® approach was developed by Dr Heinz Röttinger in Munich.

In traditional hip replacement surgery, surgeons need to cut through muscles and tendons to reach the hip. This means the body takes longer to heal, so recovery is usually slower and there can be more pain in the early weeks after surgery.

Rapid Return hip replacement surgery is different because it uses the Röttinger® approach. This is a technique where surgeons work between the muscles instead of cutting through them, which helps keep the muscles strong. Because of this, people usually feel better sooner, move more easily, and recover faster after surgery.

A hip replacement is used to treat people with stiff or painful hips, usually caused by osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage and padding in joint between the bones becomes worn out, which can make moving around uncomfortable or difficult.

Your consultant may suggest a hip replacement if other treatments, like medication or physiotherapy, or injections haven’t improved your symptoms. You might also be offered surgery if the pain is affecting your everyday life and stopping you doing things you enjoy, like long walks, jogging, and cycling.

Rapid Return is suitable for patients whose hip pain has become severe enough that non-surgical treatments are no longer keeping them active.

Your consultant will assess whether this surgery is right for you. They will review your scans, medical history, and any treatments you’ve already tried to ensure that surgery is the right next step – and that the Röttinger® approach is suitable for your anatomy.

Your operation will be carried out by Dr Arj Imbuldeniya, Consultant Orthopaedic Hip and Knee Surgeon. He has trained extensively in the Röttinger® approach since 2022 at OCM Munich, where the technique was developed. He performs it within a formally governed programme with monitored outcomes.

He is one of a very small number of UK-based surgeons offering Röttinger® hip replacement as part of an integrated care pathway. With over 25 years of experience, he focuses on long-term joint health and orthopaedic longevity, ensuring each patient is matched to the right treatment.

Your care is supported by Cromwell Hospital’s experienced orthopaedic team. This includes support before and after surgery, including onsite scans and expert care from our nursing and physiotherapy teams.

Find out more about Dr Imbuldeniya >

Recovery after Rapid Return hip replacement surgery is generally faster than with traditional surgery.

Because the muscles are not cut during surgery, there are no standard movement restrictions. Most people can stand up and start walking on the same day as their operation, and there are no rules about crossing the legs, bending, sleeping position, or chair height.

Within a few weeks, many are back to their normal daily activities, including desk-based work, light exercise, long walks, and driving. Your return to these activities will be guided by your team, rather than by fixed timelines.

If you like to sleep on your side, you can usually do this immediately after surgery.

Modern hip replacements are designed to last for decades. Rapid Return uses a ceramic head on a highly crosslinked polyethylene bearing, which offers the lowest wear available.

Recent data from large national joint registries, covering nearly two million hip replacements, shows that about nine in ten are still working well after 20 to 25 years. In well-selected patients, they are expected to last even longer.

The Röttinger® technique helps achieve best placement of the new hip joint. This can be beneficial in helping it work better and last longer.