A Review of Total Hip Arthroplasty and Post-Operative Functional Hip Scores in National Orthopaedic Hospital,Lagos.

BACKGROUND

Hip pain that severely limits functional activity, and unresponsive to other measures of treatment is the major indication for Total Hip Arthroplasty. Hip scores are used to access functional outcome, by comparing pre-operative and post-operative scores.

STUDY DESIGN

The aim of this study was to investigate the overall functional outcome after Total hip Arthroplasty, and compare results between two approaches to the hip (Direct lateral and Posterior approach). A retrospective study of 56 total hip arthroplasty between January 2011 and September 2013. Pre-operative and Post-operative functional hip scores were assessed using the Harris Hip Score. Functional and clinical outcome of surgery was compared between two approaches to the hip.

RESULTS

Approach to the hip was 61% for direct lateral and 39% for posterior approach. Superficial surgical site infection was recorded in 10 cases, 7 of these were in patients who had direct lateral approach. Post-operative HIP Score was excellent in 41%, and good in 52% of cases with a mean assessment at 6 weeks.

CONCLUSION

The post-operative functional status, measured by the Harris Hip score, was satisfactory in over 90% of cases. There was no statistically significant difference in Harris Hip Scores in the two approaches (p>0.05).