Surgical Approach in Hemiarthroplasty. A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Posterior and Anterior Approach

The investigators have witnessed a marked change in preferred anatomical route to the hip joint when performing total hip artrhroplasty (THA) for osteoarthritis in Norway. The direct lateral approach, which 10 years ago dominated, is today more or less abandoned. Several studies have reported inferior results in patients operated with the lateral approach compared to the posterior and anterior approaches, the latter approaches used in approximately 95 % of all THA´s i Norway. Many approaches are known for hip arthroplasty in trauma patients, but there is little consensus on the preferred method. The preferred surgical approach varies among hospitals and surgeons. Identifying the best possible approach for HA could lead to shorter hospital admission, faster rehabilitation, better functional outcomes, lower morbidity and mortality and improvement in patient independence. Consequently healthcare costs related to a hip fracture could be reduced.

As of today the clinical results, reoperation rate and the morbidity have improved significantly in hemiarthroplasty treatment for dislocated femoral neck fractures. However, patients are primarily operated with the lateral approach, although inferior results are reported compared to posterior and anterior approaches. RCT´s from Ugland et al and Mjaaland have shown increased incidence of limping, lateral thigh pain and inferior PROM´s in patients operated with the direct lateral approach compared to patients operated with anterior approaches.

A meta-analysis regarding hemiarthroplasty and surgical approaches from 2018 concluded that high-quality comparative studies are needed to further substantiate the preferred anatomic route for hemiarthroplasty in older femoral neck fracture patients.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients between 70 and 90 years of age
• Displaced FNF
• Ability to walk with or without a walking aid prior to falling
• Patients having Sorlandet Hospital as primary service provider for orthopaedic trauma
• Provision of informed consent by patient or proxy
• Low energy fracture (fall from standing height, no other major trauma)

Exclusion criteria

• Dementia
• Fractures in pathologic bone
• Patients not suited for HA (i.e., inflammatory arthritis, severe osteoarthritis)
• Associated major injuries of the lower extremity ( i.e., ipsilateral or contralateral fractures of the foot, ankle, tibia, fibula or femur)
• Retained hardware around the affected hip that will interfere with arthroplasty
• Sepsis or local infection