As of right now, SUH is the only public hospital in Ireland offering the Direct Anterior Muscle Sparing Minimally Invasive method of same-day hip replacement.

When compared to standard hip replacement surgery, this novel procedure results in a much shorter rehabilitation period, allowing patients to resume their usual pain-free life and get back on their feet quicker.

Large muscle groups would need to be severed and divided in order to replace the hip joint during traditional hip replacement surgery, which was performed from the side or back of the hip.

The direct anterior approach "allows us to access the hip from the front, going in between the muscles without cutting them, thereby helping to minimise pain and soft tissue injury for patients," according to consultant orthopaedic surgeon John Kelly.

"After undergoing the treatment, patients can leave the hospital in the morning and go home with a new hip. Dr. Kelly continued, "I'm thrilled that patients at Sligo University Hospital can now have this as a surgical option."