The effect of surgical approach on femoral stem position in canine cemented total hip replacement.

A prospective clinical study was designed to determine the effect of surgical approach on femoral stem position in canine cemented total hip replacement. Candidates for total hip replacement were randomly placed into one of two groups. In one group (n = 10), a craniolateral approach to the hip joint was made, incorporating a femoral trochanteric osteotomy. In the other group (n = 11), a craniolateral approach to the hip joint was made without performing a femoral trochanteric osteotomy. Radiographs obtained immediately after the operation were evaluated by two independent examiners for femoral stem position (neutral, varus, or valgus) and percentage of femoral canal fill, using a defined protocol. There was no statistical difference in femoral stem position between the study groups, whereas a greater percentage of canal fill was associated with the neutral femoral stem position.