This study examines patient and surgeon reported outcome measures, complications during index admission, length of stay (LOS), and discharge disposition in a series of total hip replacements (THR) performed via the direct anterior (DA) or posterolateral (PL) approach.
Five surgeons performed 2698 total hip replacements (1457 DA vs 1241 PL) between January 2010 and June 2015. Complications during index admission were recorded using billing and claims data. Harris Hip Scores (HHS) and Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (HOOS) were collected in a subset of patients.
Patients in the DA group had shorter LOS (2.3 DA vs 2.7 PL days, P < .001) and a larger proportion of patient discharges to home (79.0% DA vs 68.7% PL, P < .001). Surgical (0.75% DA vs 0.73% PL, P = .961) and medical (8.4% DA vs 8.1% PL, P = .766) complications during index admission were equivalent between groups. HHS (n = 462) favored the DA group at an early follow-up (P < .001), but did not differ at 1 year (P = .478). Logistic regression revealed that patients in the DA group were more likely to report no pain, no limp, walk unlimited distances, and climb stairs without the use of the railing at 3- to 6-month follow-up (P < .001). HOOSs were equivalent at all follow-ups regardless of approach.
Patients in the DA group had shorter LOS and were more likely to be discharged home. The DA group had better HHS at 3- to 6-month follow-up than patients in the PL group, with no difference in medical or surgical complications during index admission.