A comparison of the omega and posterior approaches on patient reported function and radiological outcomes following total hip replacement.

Abstract

The omega approach represents a modification of the lateral approach to the hip for joint replacement. It was developed to reduce the potential for gluteus muscle dysfunction and thereby improve functional outcome following hip replacement. A cohort of 415 consecutive hip replacements receiving the same type of cemented femoral component were followed up at a mean of three years postoperatively and invited to complete functional outcome and satisfaction scores. There were no differences between the omega and the posterior approach in terms of post-operative Oxford Hip Score, Short Form-12 score, patient satisfaction and a range of radiographic parameters. The omega approach appears to perform equally to the posterior approach in this cohort of patients.