Albuquerque, N.M. -- A new, less invasive hip surgery is being done in New Mexico, cutting down on recovery time.

A ski boot-like device is part of a unique operating table that orthopedic surgeons at abq health partners use during hip replacement surgery.

Unlike a normal operating table, the device allows surgeons to position the leg any way they need to and lock it in place for surgery. Surgeons are then able to operate with precision, which means patients are back to normal activities sooner.

"It doesn't cut muscles off of the hip -- it actually goes between muscles and so we just separate them, so there is no healing time," said orthopedic surgeon mario quesada. "No limp, no hip dislocation precautions."

Surgeons said the cost is about the same using the new method.

Less than one percent of hip surgeries are done using this new operating table, surgeons said.

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