Skip to content

Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) Surgical Techniques Comparing the Direct Anterior Approach to the Posterior Approach

Prospective Randomized Single Center Clinical Evaluation of THA Surgical Techniques Comparing the Direct Anterior Approach to the Posterior Approach

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01807104
Enrollment
87
Registered
2013-03-08
Start date
2010-01-31
Completion date
2017-07-20
Last updated
2019-08-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Osteoarthritis of the Hip

Keywords

Anterior Approach, Posterior Approach

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the short term effectiveness and return to function of subjects undergoing primary Total Hip Arthroplasty using an Anterior Approach (incision on the front part of the hip joint) versus Posterior Approach (incision over back part of the hip joint).

Detailed description

The anterior approach may provide better early post-operative outcomes because there are fewer muscles at the front of the hip so the surgeon works between them rather than cutting through muscle fibers. However, the anterior approach is more difficult to access so usually requires a specialized table. The posterior approach is easier to access, but the incision cuts through muscle fiber. This may lengthen recovery time. However, a specialized table, which can be quite expensive, is often not required.

Interventions

PROCEDUREAnterior Approach / Posterior Approach

compare results of total hip arthroplasty performed through either an anterior or posterior surgical approach

PROCEDUREAnterior versus Posterior Approach for total hip replacement

Compare results of total hip arthroplasty performed through either an anterior or posterior surgical approach

Sponsors

Johnson & Johnson
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Barrett, William, M.D.
Lead SponsorINDIV

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Subject is able to or capable of providing consent to participate in the clinical investigation. 2. Subject is between the ages of 20-75 years, inclusive. 3. Subject requires a cementless, primary total hip arthroplasty for non-inflammatory degenerative joint disease (NIDJD) 4. Subject has sufficient bone stock for the hip replacement device. 5. Subject is a suitable candidate for the devices specified in the clinical investigation plan and is willing to be randomized to either surgical approach.

Exclusion criteria

1. Subject in the opinion of the Investigator has an existing condition that would compromise his /her participation and follow-up in this investigation. 2. Subject has had previous surgery on the affected hip. 3. Subject has significant osteoarthritis of the contra-lateral hip requiring a total hip arthroplasty within 12 months.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Returning to Quality of Life by Using Either Anterior Approach Versus Posterior Approach5 yearsHarris Hip 5-Year Total Score Change from Baseline. The Harris Hip score gives a maximum of 100 points. Pain receives 44 points, function 47 points, range of motion 5 points, and deformity 4 points. Function is subdivided into activities of daily living (14 points) and gait (33 points). The higher the Harris Hip score, the less dysfunction.This outcome measure has been validated for joint replacement surgery for peer reviewed orthopedic literature.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Direct Anterior Approach
Direct Anterior Approach (DAA) utilizing a modern fracture table with the patient placed supine, both feet in boots for proper positioning. Anterior skin incision, 10-14 cm long, is used. An inter-muscular plane is utilized to access the anterior hip capsule. The hip capsule is opened anteriorly, a femoral neck osteotomy is performed based on pre-operative templating, and the femoral head removed. Acetabular retractors are placed and reaming of the acetabulum commenced. This is done under direct visualization with C-arm confirmation for positioning. The femoral side is then visualized with the aid of the fracture table. A hydraulic trochanteric hook elevates the proximal femur. Broaching of the femoral canal is started and proceeds up to the appropriate size. A trial reduction is performed, and the length and offset are checked manually and with C-arm confirmation. The trial components are removed and the prostheses are placed with press-fit fixation. Routine closure is performed.
43
Postero-Lateral Approach
Postero-Lateral Approach (PA) uses a standard OR table with the patient placed in the lateral decubitus position. A 10-14 cm skin incision is utilized over the posterior-lateral corner of the hip. The gluteus maximus muscle is split in line with its fibers and the short external rotators and posterior capsule are opened. The hip is dislocated posteriorly and a femoral neck osteotomy is performed. The acetabular and femoral components are inserted in the same manner as is done with the DAA with press fit fixation utilized. The PA is well described in all major texts on orthopedic surgery.
44
Total87

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicDirect Anterior ApproachPostero-Lateral ApproachTotal
Age, Continuous61.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9
63.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8
62.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.5
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
43 Participants44 Participants87 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
14 Participants25 Participants39 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
29 Participants19 Participants48 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
1 / 431 / 44
other
Total, other adverse events
5 / 436 / 44
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 430 / 44

Outcome results

Primary

Returning to Quality of Life by Using Either Anterior Approach Versus Posterior Approach

Harris Hip 5-Year Total Score Change from Baseline. The Harris Hip score gives a maximum of 100 points. Pain receives 44 points, function 47 points, range of motion 5 points, and deformity 4 points. Function is subdivided into activities of daily living (14 points) and gait (33 points). The higher the Harris Hip score, the less dysfunction.This outcome measure has been validated for joint replacement surgery for peer reviewed orthopedic literature.

Time frame: 5 years

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Direct Anterior ApproachReturning to Quality of Life by Using Either Anterior Approach Versus Posterior Approach40.1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 10.89
Postero-Lateral ApproachReturning to Quality of Life by Using Either Anterior Approach Versus Posterior Approach43.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 15.94

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026