Introduction:

There is great controversy regarding the existence of an optimal surgical approach for hip arthroplasty. The current research emphasis has been to examine the possible differences in functional outcomes between anterior and posterior approaches.

Objective:

To compare the outcome measures reported by patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, using anterior and posterior approaches.

Methods:

A search is carried out on the subject in the PubMed database during the years 2010-2020, in English, with the terms "comparison between anterior approach and posterior approach to the hip", "direct anterior approach to the hip", "posterior approach to the hip”, and “results of hip arthroplasty using anterior and posterior approaches”.

Analysis and synthesis of the information:

The anterior approach showed greater improvement in gait speed, stride length and gait symmetry, compared to the posterior approach for hip arthroplasty one month after the operation. At four months, these gait characteristics were not different, but the results of some functional tests were superior in patients operated on by anterior approach.

Conclusions:

The choice of the surgical approach for hip arthroplasty should be based on the patient´s factors, preference of the surgeons and their experience.

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