The Direct Anterior Approach for Total Hip Arthroplasty for Severe Dysplasia (Crowe III and IV) Provides Satisfactory Medium to Long-Term Outcomes

The direct anterior approach (DAA) is increasingly used for total hip arthroplasty (THA). Although the DAA can reduce pain, recovery time, and dislocations in nondysplastic hips, few studies report its results in patients with severe dysplasia. We aimed to evaluate outcomes of primary THA through the DAA with cup placement at the true acetabulum in hips with severe dysplasia.

We retrospectively evaluated 23 consecutive patients (29 hips) who underwent THA by DAA for osteoarthritis secondary to Crowe III-IV dysplasia. Surgical procedures were performed on a traction table, and the acetabular cup was placed in the true acetabulum. Patients were assessed clinically (complications, modified Harris Hip Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Oxford Hip Score) and radiographically (radiolucencies, subsidence, leg length discrepancies, cup inclination, and cup coverage) at a minimum of 2 years.

One patient (2 hips) died with original implants (at 13 and 14 years), 3 patients (3 hips) were revised due to wear-induced loosening (at 14, 16, and 18 years), and there were no dislocations or infections. The remaining 19 patients (24 hips) were assessed at 8.4 ± 4.7 years (range 2-20); 2 patients (2 hips) had complications that required reoperation without implant removal. The modified Harris Hip Score improved from 32 ± 9 to 94 ± 7, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index from 46 ± 18 to 90 ± 7, and Oxford Hip Score was 56 ± 4. Patients were very satisfied (90%) or satisfied (10%). Limb length discrepancy was 2.5 ± 9.0 mm.

THA through the DAA with cup placement at the true acetabulum provides satisfactory mid to long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes compared to other approaches for hips with severe dysplasia.

Level IV, retrospective cohort study.