MINIMAL INVASIVE VS. TRANSGLUTEAL APPROACH IN TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY – A COMPARATIVE GAIT ANALYSIS

Abstract

Aims: Minimal invasive total hip replacement is supposed to allow a quicker rehabilitation in the immediate post-operative period due to reduced soft tissue damage. The aim of this study is to compare gait kinematics after total hip arthroplasty using a one incision minimal invasive approach to a traditional approach.

Matarial and Methods: 21 patients were available for a complete analysis. In 12 patients (MIS group) a minimal invasive, modified Watson-Jones approach was used, in 9 patients (Standard group) a transgluteal approach as described by Bauer was used. All operations were performed by a single surgeon with the patient in supine position. In all cases the same cementless implant (Alloclassic® VariallTM system) with standard instruments was used. 3D gait analysis was carried out pre-operatively, 10 days postoperatively and after 3 months. The variables analysed in this study were velocity, step length, range of hip extension, range of pelvic tilt, Trendelenburg’s sign and Duchenne limp, pelvic rotation and symmetry.

Results: There were no significant differences between the MIS and the Standard group in any of the evaluated variables. In both groups of the patients presented a decrease in the hip extension at the end of stance phase 10 days postoperatively. About half of these patients compensated with an increased sagital pelvic tilt during maximal hip extension. At the 3 months follow-up all patients in both groups had an increased hip extension compared to the preoperative values, reached normative values. The velocity was reduced in both groups at the 10 days follow-up, ¼ reached normative values after 3 months.

Conclusion: Our data show no significant improvement of gait kinematics in patients who underwent a total hip arthroplasty using a minimal invasive approach (modified Watson-Jones) compared to a standard approach (Bauer) during the early postoperative period.