AAHKS Press Releases

Media Contact: Denise Smith Rodd drodd@operationwalkglobal.org
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Surgical Approach No Effect on Patient Hip Function Following Hip Replacement Surgery

For Immediate Release
November 8, 2014

DALLAS — A randomized study presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) on November 8, 2014 found that the surgical approach a surgeon uses does not have an effect on the patient’s hip function following surgery.

The way a surgeon gains access to the hip during hip replacement surgery is referred to as an “approach.” There are various types of approaches named according to the direction that the surgery is performed. The posterior approach is done from the back of the hip, and the direct anterior approach is performed from the front of the hip.

Cale Jacobs, PhD and Christian P. Christensen, MD, of Lexington, Kentucky, performed the study to determine if functional recovery of the patients’ hips differed depending on the approaches used. In their presentation, “No Differences in Patient Function Six Weeks after Direct Anterior or Posterior THA: A Randomized Study,” the authors explained their study of patient-reported outcome tools using standardized hip scoring and physical tests of patients. They also compared the duration of hospital stays and the number of days after surgery that patients no longer needed assistive walking devices.

The study concluded that while patients who received the direct anterior approach resulted in an earlier hospital discharge, earlier ability to walk without an assistive device, and better pain relief at six weeks than patients who received the posterior approach, the measure of function that patients reported and that their surgeons measured at their six-week examinations did not differ between groups.

The 24th AAHKS Annual Meeting was attended by 1,800 hip and knee surgeons, allied health professionals and industry representatives who took part in scientific sessions and exhibits during the 4-day meeting.

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Established in 1991, the mission of AAHKS is to advance and improve hip and knee patient care through leadership in education, advocacy and research with a vision to be the essential organization of hip and knee specialists, functioning to serve the needs of patients, care providers and policy makers regarding hip and knee health.

Contact:

Denise Smith Rodd
847-698-1200