title: Comparison of Patient Function during the First Six Weeks after Direct Anterior or Posterior Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA): A Randomized Study.
abstract: The purpose of this single-surgeon randomized study was to determine if functional recovery during the early postoperative period differs between the direct anterior (DAA) and posterior approaches (PA). An a priori power analysis indicated that 26 patients per group were needed, and 6-week follow-up data were available for 51 THAs to date. Hospitals stays were significantly shorter for the DAA group (1.4 vs. 2.0 days, P=0.01), and the change in Pain Scores was significantly greater for the DAA group (P=0.04). The DAA group also discontinued use of an assistive ambulatory device at an earlier time (33.0 vs. 43.1 days, P=0.03). Despite these differences, no other subjective or objective functional measures differed between the 2 groups at the 6-week follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Lexington Clinic, Lexington, Kentucky.
authors.forename: Christian P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.affiliation: Lexington Clinic, Lexington, Kentucky.
authors.forename: Cale A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D057234:Preoperative Period; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: direct anterior approach; function; outcome; posterior approach; total hip arthroplasty