Comparison of Early Functional Recovery After Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a Direct Anterior or Posterolateral Approach: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Controversy exists as to whether early functional outcomes differ after total hip arthroplasty performed using the direct anterior approach (DAA) or the posterolateral approach (PLA). Methods One hundred twenty patients were enrolled in this study and were divided into 2 groups based on surgical approach. Group A included patients who had a total hip arthroplasty with a DAA, whereas group B included those with a PLA. Patients were randomized into the DAA or PLA groups (n = 60), and perioperative and postoperative outcomes were recorded. Results When compared with the PLA, the DAA had a shorter incision length (9.1 vs 13.1 cm; P < .01), shorter hospital stay (2.8 vs 3.3 days, P = .04), and lower self-reported pain. Both serum inflammatory and muscle damage markers were lower in the DAA group. However, the PLA had shorter operative times (65.5 vs 83.3 min, P = .03) and less intraoperative blood loss (123.8 vs 165.9 mL, P = .04). The DAA had significantly lower variance in cup inclination and anteversion. Similar rates of intraoperative complications were identified in the 2 groups. The DAA was associated with better functional recovery at 3 months based on the Harris hip score, University of California Los Angeles activity score, and gait analysis; however, functional recovery at 6 months was similar between the 2 groups. Conclusion We found functional advantages in early recovery after the DAA compared with the PLA. The DAA can offer rapid functional recovery with less muscle damage, greater pain relief, and lower variance in cup inclination and anteversion. However, no functional difference was found at 6 months follow-up.