Posterolateral Surgical Approach Compared With Modified Lateral Approach: A Prospective, Randomised Trial

Total hip arthroplasty is one of the most successful orthopaedic procedures for relieving pain and improving quality of life. But dislocation remains the leading early complication after total hip arthroplasty with a reported frequency between 0.4% and 11%. There are several risk factors of dislocation after total hip arthroplasty including patients, implants and surgical approaches. Among lots of risk factors, surgical approach has been debated as one of the important key factor influencing dislocation and abductor function. Direct lateral or posterolateral surgical approach is most commonly used in the total hip arthroplasty. The modified lateral approaches generally are thought to have lower dislocation rates and allow excellent acetabular exposure although limping is increased. The posterolateral approach may allow maintenance of abductor strength but it generally results in a higher dislocation rate. However, there are several reports that the posterolateral approach with capsular repair might be reduced dislocation rate.

We hypothesize the dislocation rate for the posterolateral approach with capsular repair is similar to modified lateral approaches for total hip arthroplasty. A prospective, randomized-controlled study was to examine the null hypothesis that the dislocation rate for the posterior approach with capsular repair was similar to modified lateral approaches for total hip arthroplasty at up to 2 year followup. We attempted to determine whether there was a difference in surgical parameters, component positioning, and clinical results of the modified lateral approach compared with the posterolateral approach.