Return to work and resumption of driving after anterior minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty.

Background: Return to work (RTW) and resumption of driving (ROD) are critical factors that influence postoperative quality of life in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, few studies have focused on the minimally invasive (MIS) approach and its effect on these outcomes.

Aim: To investigate RTW and ROD's timelines and influencing factors following anterior MIS-THA.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 124 patients who underwent anterior MIS-THA. Data on the demographics, occupational physical demands, and RTW/ROD timelines were also collected. Clinical outcomes were measured using standardised scoring systems. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the differences between the groups based on employment status and physical workload.

Results: Among employed patients, the RTW rate was 94.7%, with an average return time of five weeks. The average ROD time was 3.5 weeks across all patients. Despite similar postoperative clinical scores, RTW time was significantly influenced by occupations' physical workload, with heavier physical demands associated with delayed RTW.

Conclusion: Anterior MIS-THA facilitates early RTW and ROD, particularly in occupations with lower physical demands. These findings highlight the importance of considering occupational and physical workload in postoperative care planning to optimize recovery outcomes.