If your idea of a good day includes pickleball, hiking, or playing with your kids, knee pain can seriously cramp your lifestyle. For those unwilling to sit still, choosing the right surgical approach to knee replacement is crucial. Here’s why the subvastus approach may be the advantage you need—especially if staying active is your top priority.
Tailored for Movement: What Makes the Subvastus Approach Stand Out
Unlike traditional knee replacement methods that cut through the quadriceps tendon, the subvastus approach works around it. That small shift makes a big difference. By accessing the joint beneath the vastus medialis (part of the quadriceps), this technique protects the muscle that plays a key role in walking, running, and stabilizing your knee.
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The result? A smoother, more natural-feeling recovery that helps active patients return to motion faster-with fewer setbacks.
Benefits That Matter to Active Patients
If you’re used to being on the go, the benefits of the subvastus approach align perfectly with your lifestyle:
- Minimal Muscle Disruption: Less trauma to the quadriceps means greater strength retention and smoother early mobility.
- Quicker Return to Activities: Many patients report resuming low-impact activities weeks earlier than expected.
- Better Functional Outcomes: Preserving muscle attachments can help restore a more natural gait and improved balance.
Why Athletes and Weekend Warriors Prefer It
This approach has become increasingly popular among physically active adults who want to maintain their independence, strength, and endurance post-surgery. Whether you’re a golfer, jogger, or regular gym-goer, protecting muscle integrity during surgery can mean a more confident return to movement.
Not every orthopedic surgeon offers the subvastus approach. It requires specialized training and a commitment to precision. Choosing a surgeon experienced in this technique ensures that your active lifestyle doesn’t just survive surgery-it thrives afterward.
Your Comeback Story Starts Here
If knee pain is restricting your lifestyle, the subvastus approach could be your ideal path to return to activities you enjoy. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Claps to talk about what matters most to you-and design a plan that gets you back in action.
AUTHOR: Charles Claps, DO is a board-certified fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in robotic assisted joint replacement surgery at Resurgens Orthopaedics in Atlanta. Dr. Claps is an industry leader in Mako Robotic Assisted Hip and Knee replacement across Georgia, and an active member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics.