Functional Outcomes of Anterior-Based Muscle Sparing Approach Compared to Direct Lateral Approach for Total HIP Arthroplasty Following Acute Femoral Neck Fractures

INTRODUCTION: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) performed for femoral neck fractures (FNFs) is becoming a more frequent treatment in the active elderly population. Since there is limited research available presenting clinical outcomes after THA using the anterior-based muscle sparing (ABMS) approach, the aim of this study was to compare this surgical approach to the direct lateral (DL) approach in patients treated by THA for FNFs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data prospectively collected as a part of our “Hip Fracture Unit” and included 163 patients who underwent THA from January 2016 to January 2019 for acute displaced FNFs. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients who completed a minimum 2-years follow up (69 in the ABMS group and 63 in DL group) were included. The ABMS group demonstrated significantly shorter time to reach milestone for hospital discharge (1.5 Days vs 2.1 days, P = .018), while no statistically significant differences were detected in peri-operative complications. At 3 months, the timed up and go test, the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and the Oxford ip Score (OHS) were significantly better (P = .024, .032 and .034, respectively) in the ABMS group compared to the DL group. No differences were found in functional outcomes (HHS and OHS) nor in complication rate at 6, 12 and 24 months. DISCUSSION: This is one of the first studies to analyze functional results of THA performed for FNFs through an ABMS approach. Results are in line with those already present in the Literature. CONCLUSION: ABMS approach allows earlier mobilization and better early functional outcomes, compared to DL approach, in patients undergoing THA for acute displaced FNF. No differences are found after 6 months in functional results and complications rate.