Durability of Implant Fixation After Less-Invasive Total Hip Arthroplasty

Less-invasive techniques for total hip arthroplasty (THA) have sparked an increased interest among orthopedic surgeons and patients. There has been concern regarding decreased surgical exposure and compromise in prosthesis durability. We present the first long-term outcome of THA performed via the mini-incision posterior approach to show the durability of implant fixation. We compare the clinical and radiographic findings with previously published findings of authors using the same femoral implant and standard surgical techniques over a similar follow-up period. Ninety implants were followed for 10 to 13 years. Clinical evaluation revealed a Harris Hip Score of 92.3. Radiographic evaluation revealed proximal bone atrophy in 57% and lucent lines in 14% of femurs and 11% of cups. Osteolysis was noted in 10% and was associated with polyethylene wear. There were no cases of aseptic stem loosening. Eight polyethylene inserts were revised for wear. These 10-year minimum follow-up findings are consistently comparable with previously published studies using the same implant and larger surgical approaches followed for a similar period. Mini-incision THA technique did not compromise the long-term clinical and radiographic findings when compared with conventional techniques.