Dislocation after total hip arthroplasty is LEAST likely with which approach?

• A Posterolateral approach without posterior capsule repair
• B Direct anterior (Hueter) approach ✓
• C Transgluteal (Hardinge) approach
• D Posterolateral approach with posterior capsule repair and short external rotator reattachment

Explanation

The direct anterior approach accesses the hip through the internervous plane (tensor fascia lata/sartorius), does not detach any muscles, and preserves the posterior capsule entirely, giving a dislocation rate of 0.4–0.96% — lower than any posterior approach. The posterolateral approach without capsular repair carries a 4–10% dislocation rate; meticulous posterior capsular repair reduces this to <1% but not as reliably as the anterior approach.

Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.