At present, the posterolateral, the direct lateral and direct anterior approach (DAA) are the most frequently used techniques for total hip arthroplasty (THA), however there is no clear superiority of one of the approaches based on clinical outcome measures. The goal of this study is to lead the patient and the surgeon to an optimal treatment by providing them with relevant information based on patient reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Patient satisfaction and hip function one year postoperatively were investigated retrospectively in a cohort of patients who underwent hip replacement surgery by DAA on one hip and by posterolateral or direct lateral approach on the contralateral hip. Additionally, a control group who underwent the DAA bilaterally was used for comparison.

No difference in hip function was found between the DAA and the posterolateral or direct lateral approach, measured with the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) questionnaire at least one year postoperatively to the last THA in the study group. Also in the control group no difference was found between the hips. However, the overall scores of the control group were higher, although not statistically significant, than those of the study group (p=0.055). And a majority of the study group preferred the DAA (68%), with the reasons reported being faster recovery, less sleeping disturbance and earlier mobilization.

As expected, the postoperative hip function is similar, but patients’ preference is not. The latter result might be true or possibly influenced by preoperative psychological factors and mental health. The DAA and the posterolateral or direct lateral approaches have shown to lead to a similar hip function, but a majority of patients subjectively prefer the DAA.

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