Direct superior approach versus posterolateral approach in total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial on early outcomes on gait, risk of fall, clinical and self-reported measurements

Background and purpose — Several surgical approaches are used in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). In this randomized controlled trial we compared gait, risk of fall, self-reported clinical measurements between subjects after direct superior approach (DSA) versus posterolateral (PL) for THA.Patients methods Participants with DSA (n = 22; age 74 [SD 8.9]) PL 23; 72 [7.7]) underwent gait analysis, fall assessment Timed Up Go Test (TUG) before (PRE), 1 month (T1) 3 months (T3) surgery. Data on bleeding time was collected.Results resulted longer times (90 [14] vs. 77 [20] min) but lower blood loss (149 [66] 225 [125] mL) than PL. had at T3 T1 higher TUG scores PRE. improved balance Spatiotemporal parameters over both no inter-group differences, whereas DSA, regarding rotation range motion, showed values PRE and, furthermore, group All foregoing comparisons statistically signficant (p < 0.05)Interpretation early improvements TUG, spatiotemporal, kinematic parameters, highlighting rapid muscle strength recovery.