Hip replacement with SPAIRE: Your expert guide

Written in association with: Mr Tom Symes
Published:
Edited by: Sophie Kennedy

Saving piriformis and internus, repair of externus, also known as SPAIRE, is a modern approach used in hip replacement surgery which preserves key muscles around the joint, aiding recovery and improving outcomes. To tell us more, we invited esteemed consultant orthopaedic surgeon Mr Tom Symes to share his expert insight on this innovative surgical approach.

What are the main advantages of the SPAIRE approach over other hip surgery approaches?

The SPAIRE approach is a muscle sparing approach to hip replacement surgery that involves a standard size incision and scar. However, with this approach, nearly all of the important muscles around the hip are preserved. As a result, hip function is preserved and there is much less chance of dislocation.


Which patients are good candidates for the SPAIRE approach?

Patients who need a hip replacement but are active or sporty are good candidates. Undergoing a SPAIRE procedure means they can return to all the sporting activities they wish to, as there are no restrictions put on patients after this type of surgery. The ideal candidate is a patient of normal weight with a good hip range of movement.


What are the potential risks and complications of the SPAIRE approach?

There are no added risks with the SPAIRE approach but not all patients are suitable for this type of surgery. Your orthopaedic specialist can advise on your suitability for this type of procedure.


What is the typical recovery time after SPAIRE surgery?

SPAIRE surgery can often be done as a day case operation, or may require 1 night in hospital post-operatively. Sticks or crutches will be needed for 3-4 weeks and driving can be resumed after 6 weeks. Patients are able to go back to work after 8-12 weeks and typically make a full recovery in 6 months. However, the hip will feel less painful than before the operation within 1 to 2 weeks of surgery.


What are the long term outcomes for patients who have had SPAIRE surgery?

The long term outcomes for patients who have had SPAIRE surgery are very good, and most patients will not require any more surgery. 85 per cent of patients feel 'much better' than before their surgery and 80 per cent would report satisfaction as 'excellent' or 'very good'.
 



If you require hip replacement surgery and think you could be a good candidate for a SPAIRE procedure, visit Mr Symes’ Top Doctors profile today to schedule a consultation.

By Mr Tom Symes
Orthopaedic surgery

Mr Tom Symes is a highly respected consultant orthopaedic surgeon based in Hull and East Yorkshire. He specialises in total hip and knee replacement, partial knee replacement and computer navigated knee replacement. He is also renowned for his expertise in enhanced recovery and day case hip and knee replacement, as well as muscle sparing total hip replacement (SPAIRE approach).

Mr Symes qualified in medicine from the University of Leeds in 1999 before pursuing further training in orthopaedics. He attained membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 2003 and later undertook a Masters in evidence-based orthopaedics at the University of Teesside. In 2010, Mr Symes was awarded fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons’ trauma and orthopaedics section. He additionally completed an arthroplasty fellowship at the esteemed Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Glasgow. He was appointed as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust in 2011, where he continues to serve as clinical lead for orthopaedics, lead for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) and is the revision hip lead for the hospital.

More recently he has been leading the Orthopaedic Network for the Humber and North Yorkshire ICB. This group aims to improve care for patients with musculoskeletal problems across the region. He is passionate about improving the health of patients while they wait for surgery to give them the best outcome.

He has been the leading surgeon in the development of the day case joint replacement pathway at the Spire Hospital and in the last year over 30 of Mr Symes’ patients have been discharged on the same day as their hip or knee replacement. The pathway encompasses all the latest research around preoperative preparation, intraoperative muscle sparing techniques, postoperative multi modal pain relief and early mobilisation.

In the last year he has refined a muscle sparing Total Hip replacement technique (SPAIRE) that reduces the chance of hip dislocation after surgery and allows patients to return to full activity without any restrictions. This is particular attractive to young patients who wish to return to sports
He sees private patients at Spire Hull and East Riding Hospital.

Additional to his clinical responsibilities, Mr Symes is an honorary senior lecturer at the Hull York Medical School and trains medical students and junior doctors. He has published a number of academic articles which appear in peer reviewed journals and has also authored chapters in leading orthopaedic textbooks. He is regular speaker at national meetings in the field of orthopaedics, particularly on the topic of enhanced recovery. Mr Symes is also a respected orthopaedic medicolegal expert.

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