What muscles are cut during a posterior hip replacement?

The posterior approach is the most traditional way to perform a hip replacement. During this procedure, the surgeon accesses the hip joint from the back. To do this, the large gluteus maximus muscle is split (its fibers are separated, not cut), and a group of smaller muscles called the "short external rotators" are detached from the femur to allow the surgeon to see and work on the joint.

A crucial part of the procedure is that these short external rotator muscles are meticulously repaired and reattached at the end of the surgery. This repair is essential for ensuring the stability of your new hip.