Mepivacaine versus Bupivacaine Spinal Anesthesia for Early Postoperative Ambulation.

Background: Early ambulation after total hip arthroplasty predicts early discharge. Spinal anesthesia is preferred by many practices but can delay ambulation, especially with bupivacaine. Mepivacaine, an intermediate-acting local anesthetic, could enable earlier ambulation than bupivacaine.