Abstract
BACKGROUND: The supercapsular percutaneously-assisted total hip (SuperPATH(®)) approach for total hip arthroplasty (THA) was developed to promote early mobilization and greater range of motion, physiologic gait kinematics and improved pain control. The superpath approach is a hybrid of the Superior Capsulotomy (SuperCap(®)) approach and the percutaneously assisted total hip (PATH(®)) technique. METHODS: Postoperative radiographs of 66 consecutive patients from the first 100 patients who underwent the SuperPATH approach were analysed by an independent third party for component position and seating, femoral offset and leg length. A detailed description of preoperative and postoperative preparation, soft tissue dissection, preparation of the femoral canal and acetabulum, and implant positioning is also provided with figures to illustrate. RESULTS: All components in this case series were well seated and position deemed optimal. Leg lengths were measured to within 5 mm of the contralateral side and mean acetabular abduction angle was 40.13° (SD 6.30°). CONCLUSIONS: Through preservation of the external rotators, hip capsule, and abductor integrity, the SuperPATH approach for THA maximally preserves the surrounding soft tissue envelope. Implant position was optimal within the 'learning curve' of the first 100 cases for described THA safe zones. Long term outcome data for the SuperPATH approach are being collected as part of an ongoing study to compare to favourable short and mid-term results.