Early functional recovery following total hip arthroplasty (THA) has the potential to increase patient satisfaction and reduce resource utilization. The direct anterior approach (DA) has been shown to provide earlier recovery compared to the direct lateral (DL) approach based on functional tests and outcome scores. There are limited studies that objectively evaluate functional recovery comparing the two approaches in the early post-operative period. Activity trackers have emerged as a valid tool to objectively quantify physical activity levels and potentially better assess functional status compared to commonly reported functional questionnaires. The purpose of this study is to measure physical activity levels in patients undergoing THA with the DA approach and compare these to THA with the direct lateral approach in the immediate postoperative period. In a tertiary academic center we prospectively enrolled patients with primary OA that were eligible for a primary THA undergoing either the DA or the DL approach using the same prosthesis. Patients with comorbidities precluding them from ambulation, diagnoses of AVN or RA or undergoing bilateral THA were excluded. The number of steps walked per day were measured using wristband activity tracking technology for one week preoperatively, the first 2 weeks postoperatively and for 1 week leading up to their 6-week follow-up appointment. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score was also collected at the same two time points. Demographics were analyzed with descriptive statistics. A non-parametric Mann Whitney U test was used to determine whether a difference in physical activity levels exist between the DA and DL approach groups in the first 2 weeks and 6 weeks postoperatively.Introduction
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