DIRECT ANTERIOR APPROACH VERSUS POSTEROLATERAL APPROACH IN TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY: EFFECTS ON EARLY POST-OPERATIVE REHABILITATION PERIOD

Abstract

Main surgical approaches to the hip have been modified during last decades, in an effort to reduceinvasiveness of the surgical procedure and allow a faster rehabilitation. Direct anterior approach is theonly approach, which does not require muscle detachment, thus theoretically leading to reduced postoperativepain and allows earlier recovery. The aim of this study was to report a comparison betweenpatients operated with direct anterior approach and postero-lateral approach in terms of immediatepost-operative and in-hospital records. Pain, operative time, intra- and post-operative complications,blood loss, hospitalization, motor component of the Functional Independence Measure (M-FIM),timed up and go (TUG) test were measured between the two groups and compared. Direct anteriorapproach showed better results in M-FIM, TUG, hospitalization and blood loss, without any significantdifference for intra- and post-operative complications between the 2 groups. This study shows thatearly post-operative recovery is influenced by the chosen approach. Direct anterior approach showedbetter outcomes when compared to postero-lateral approach, limited to hospitalization, blood loss, andfunctional scores. Further comparisons are needed to evaluate direct anterior approach to maintainadvantages over postero-lateral approach on longer follow-up period.