The recently described Hardinge approach is currently widely used for implanting total hip prostheses. It is characterized by a dissociation of the fibers of the mid-gluteal, of which the anterior fibers remain continuous with the vastus lateralis. To assess the functional impact, a series of 63 prostheses implanted with the Hardinge approach was compared with an identical series performed with the posterior approach. Results show a lower frequency of dislocation with the Hardinge approach, but also a 33 p. cent residual functional deficiency of the mid-gluteal at one year, compared with 17 p. cent with the posterior approach. A modification of the technique is proposed to limit this phenomenon.
Adult Aged