Total Hip Arthroplasty With Subtrochanteric Osteotomy for Crowe IV Dysplasia Using an Extensile Direct Anterior Approach: A Surgical Technique

The direct anterior approach (DAA) has been increasing in popularity for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Despite previously documented anatomic limitations to its direct distal extension, alternative exposure methods have been described to safely access the femoral diaphysis and facilitate increasingly complex primary and revision THA scenarios. The DAA has several purported advantages compared to alternative approaches (eg, posterior and lateral-based), including its muscle-sparing nature, use of an internervous plane, and preservation of posterior stabilizing structures. Proponents of the DAA cite decreased postoperative pain, quicker recovery times, potentially lower dislocation rates, ease of intraoperative fluoroscopy, and improved implant placement/restoration of leg lengths. The current literature, however, is sparse when considering the use of this approach in the setting of severely dysplastic hips necessitating a concurrent subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy. When utilizing a posterior approach in this population, previous work from Ollivier and colleagues demonstrated high rates of cementless implant osseointegration and significantly improved clinical outcomes at long-term follow-up. Although relatively few reports of addressing this pathology via the DAA currently exist, initial results are promising. This study seeks to provide a detailed description of a surgical technique for performing primary THA and ipsilateral subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy in this patient population utilizing an extensile DAA.