Lateral versus posterior approach for insertion of hemiarthroplasties for hip fractures: A randomised trial of 216 patients

Continued debate exists about the merits of the different surgical approaches for arthroplasty of the hip. For hemiarthroplasty to the hip the two most commonly used approaches are lateral and posterior. 216 patients with an intracapsular hip fracture being treated with a cemented hemiarthroplasty were randomised to surgery using either a lateral or posterior approach. Surviving patients were followed up for one year with pain and functional outcomes assessed by an assessor blinded to the treatment allocation. No statistically significant differences were observed for any of the outcome measures including mortality, degree of residual pain and regain of walking ability. A subjective assessment of the ease of surgery favoured the lateral approach. In conclusion both surgical approaches appear to produce comparable function outcomes.