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29. Which approach do you use? |
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For the resurfacing procedure I always use the posterolateral approach for technical reasons. For a classic total hip replacement I changed after having performed 1800 procedures from lateral to posterolateral approach as well. The posterolateral approach does have many advantages: the abductors (gluteus medius muscle) responsible for normal gait remains intact, so less patients suffer from permanent abnormal gait after hip prosthesis. There is a much better view to place the components in a more correctly way (very important for revision surgery). There will be less repetitive muscle damage in revision surgery; there are fewer patients with complaints of trochanteritis (irritation of the bursa) compared to the lateral approach. The only disadvantage of the posterolateral approach is the larger incidence of dislocations in inexperienced hands / learning curve.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 30 August 2006 )
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