ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — For patients facing knee replacement surgery, the idea of a long recovery — often stretching up to three months — can feel just as daunting as the surgery itself. But an innovative approach, known clinically as the Subvastus technique, is transforming what knee replacement can look like. In Western North Carolina, Landon Hall, DO, orthopedic surgeon with HCA Healthcare’s Mission Hospital, is the only surgeon in the area offering this faster, gentler option at both Mission Hospital and Transylvania Regional Hospital.
The Subvastus approach requires a mastery of technique not taught in all training programs. Unlike a traditional knee replacement that cuts through the quadriceps tendon, the Subvastus approach works beneath the quadriceps muscle. Dr. Hall explains, “Instead of cutting the tendon, we create a space under the muscle and work through that area.” By preserving the quadriceps tendon and avoiding trauma to major soft tissues, patients experience dramatically less pain and stiffness immediately after surgery.
This shift in technique leads to the most meaningful benefit of all: significantly faster recovery. “The big difference in offering the Subvastus approach to knee replacement surgery is that it greatly accelerates the patient’s recovery time — actually cutting it in half,” Dr. Hall says. Patients are able to begin moving sooner, start physical therapy earlier, and reclaim their daily activities more quickly. He compares the approach to the transformation anterior hip replacement brought to hip surgery: “Just like the anterior approach revolutionized hip replacement by minimizing soft tissue disruption, the Subvastus technique does the same for the knee.”
Dr. Hall first trained in this method years ago during earlier practice experience, but when he joined the Western North Carolina medical community, he wanted to ensure he brought the very best version of the technique to his patients. This spring, he traveled back to Pittsburgh — where he completed his fellowship — to refine and update his Subvastus skills. “I knew how impactful this surgery could be,” he explains. “It was important to me to offer it here at the highest level.”
Since beginning to offer the technique, Dr. Hall has been energized by patient feedback. Many report being pleasantly surprised by how quickly they can walk, climb stairs, and get back to the routines they love. “Anything you can do to cut down the ‘standard’ three-month recovery time will vastly improve a patient’s journey,” he says. “This surgery allows patients to get moving quicker and in an even better position for when they start physical therapy.”
Precision Elevated: The Role of Robotics
While the Subvastus approach improves recovery, robotic technology elevates the accuracy of the surgery itself. Mission Hospital has the most robust robotic surgery program in the area, giving surgeons highly detailed, real-time mapping and precise bone preparation. Today, this robotic guidance ensures implants are aligned exactly as intended — down to the millimeter.
The Subvastus technique pairs seamlessly with robotic surgery, and Dr. Hall offers this combination at both Mission Hospital and Transylvania Regional Hospital.
“Robotics has allowed us to be extraordinarily precise,” he notes. “When you combine that with a minimally disruptive approach like Subvastus, patients not only recover faster — they also get a knee that’s aligned and balanced with exceptional accuracy.”
A New Standard for Knee Replacement Care
The Subvastus technique is a meaningful advancement in how knee replacement is performed and experienced. By preserving muscle and tendon, minimizing surgical exposure, and uniting this refined approach with leading-edge robotic technology, Dr. Hall is helping patients reclaim mobility sooner and with more confidence.
For people struggling with chronic knee pain, Dr. Hall’s approach at HCA Healthcare’s Mission Hospital offers something powerful: a faster return to movement, a more comfortable recovery, and the promise of stepping back into life with strength and support.