A Prospective, Single-Blinded, Partially Randomized Three-Cohort Study Comparing Manual Direct Anterior and Manual Posterior Approaches to a Non-Randomized Robotic Posterior Cohort for Total Hip Arthroplasty Using Gait Analysis

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating gait biomechanics after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in adults with hip osteoarthritis. This single-center study compares three surgical approaches: manual direct anterior approach (DAA), manual posterior approach (PA), and robotic-assisted posterior approach (rPA). The trial aims to assess short-term biomechanical recovery and patient-reported outcomes following these techniques. Participants receive primary THA using one of the three approaches. Patients of one surgeon are randomly assigned to either DAA or manual PA, while patients of a second surgeon receive robotic-assisted PA as part of routine care. The DAA approach preserves muscles and soft tissues to reduce dislocation risk but carries a learning curve. The manual PA is common worldwide and allows broad exposure but requires careful repair to reduce dislocations. The robotic-assisted PA uses computer navigation and pre-operative CT scans to improve implant placement precision. Participants undergo gait and sit-to-stand analyses before surgery and at 6 and 12 weeks after surgery using a motion capture system with force plates and muscle activity sensors. Patient-reported outcomes are collected at multiple time points. Researchers measure walking speed, hip muscle activation, and hip joint forces to evaluate recovery. Safety and post-operative complications are also monitored for about one year. The total follow-up includes assessments up to 12 months post-operation.

Gait After THA: Direct Anterior vs Manual Posterior vs Robotic Posterior