Abstract
Modified posterior approach preserving short external rotators would be able to contribute greatly to prevent dislocation after total hip arthroplasty. We modified the posterior approach to the hip by preserving the external rotator muscles in order to enhance joint stability after total hip arthroplasty in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The aim of the this study was to determine the influence of external rotator preserving posterior approach in primary total hip replacement on early dislocation and clinical outcome.
Three hundred sixty-four primary total hip replacements were divided into two groups based on how the external rotators were treated at surgery. External rotator preservation (Group 1, 165 hips) group was compared with reattachment (Group 2, 199 hips) group by evaluating the clinical and radiographic outcome at one year postoperative. Anteversion was significantly less in Group 1 as compared to Group 2 (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in inclination between the groups (P > 0.05 in all comparisons). No dislocations were found in 165 hips with external rotator preservation whereas dislocations was noted in 11 (3.9%) in Groups 2, respectively. Group 1 had the higher mean Harris hip score (97.2±2.9 points) as compared with Group 2(94.9±3.4).
The results of this study showed that external rotators could play an important role in preserving joint stability after total hip arthroplasty in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head. It can be implied that this modified posterior approach would be able to contribute greatly to prevention of dislocation, and improve clinical outcome after total hip arthroplasty.
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