At least four-year follow-up results of total hip replacement surgery using a direct anterior approach

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of patients who were followed for at least 4 years after treatment with total hip arthroplasty, which was performed using a direct anterior approach and to compare the results with different surgical approaches in the literature. 
Materials and Methods: The study included 37 patients who underwent total hip replacement using the direct anterior approach. Harris hip scores and lower extremity functional scores were recorded. The correlations between the scores and gender, diagnosis, body mass index, time of walking time, length of hospital stay, and inclination angle were examined. 
Results: Of the cases,26(70.3%) were female and 11(29.7%) were male. The mean age was 51.2 (26-76) years. The patients were followed up for an average of 58 (48-72) months. No significant difference was determined between the improvement in Harris hip score and gender, age, body mass index, and length of hospital stay. Postoperative acetabular inclination was 40.8° (35 - 55). The early dislocation was observed in one of our patients. Serous discharge developed in three patients. In three patients, n.cutaneus femoralis lateralis injury developed. The periprosthetic fracture was observed during surgery in five patients. 
Conclusion: In our study, it was seen that patients have successful and fast functional results when total hip replacement using a direct anterior approach was performed. Compared to the literature, faster recovery is observed in the early period compared to other approaches; however, no difference is seen between the approaches in the mid- and long term. 
Keywords: Direct anterior approach, Total hip arthroplasty, mid-term results