Dr. Brent Lanting and Dr. James Howard

2016 Recipients

President’s Award for Innovation

Dr. Brent Lanting and Dr. James Howard are Surgeons in the Orthopaedic Surgery Program at University Hospital. They were nominated for this award in recognition of a new approach to total hip arthroplasty they have introduced to LHSC, using an anterior approach technique.

The anterior approach technique, which allows surgeons to use one small incision on the front of the hip, spares patients from the muscle and tissue trauma which occurs in traditional surgery. Drs. Lanting and Howard are among the few surgeons in Canada using this surgical approach to hip replacement, and the benefits to patients are demonstrating themselves through faster and more effective recovery, improved mobility and function, and increased patient satisfaction. Patients are now discharged from hospital same-day or following an overnight stay, as opposed to a stay of several days often required following traditional surgery methods. This provides tremendous benefit to patients while also helping to facilitate improvement of access and flow.

Both physicians were acknowledged for their collaborative approach in developing the framework for the success of this new pathway, ensuring that each member of the team was included, providing their expertise and sharing best practices for their respective disciplines.

“This program successfully implemented at LSHC has provided an opportunity to be the national leader and champion of the outpatient/rapid recovery direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty,” writes one nominator. “To develop and implement such a program, both Dr. Howard and Dr. Lanting have invested energy and commitment as they were firm believers of its potential success and the positive impact it would have on patients…Their enthusiasm has a positive effect on not only the patients and families, but all who participated in the development of the pathway.”