The lateral approach is also commonly used for hip replacement. The approach requires elevation of the hip abductors to access the joint. The abductors may be lifted up by osteotomy of the greater trochanter and reapplying it afterwards using wires, or may be divided at their tendinous portion, or through the functional tendon and repaired using sutures. Although this approach has a lower dislocation risk than the posterior approach, critics note that occasionally the abductor muscles do not heal back on, leading to pain and weakness which is often very difficult to treat.