Bertin and Röttinger describe a mini-incision modification of the Watson-Jones anterolateral approach for primary THA. The paper asks whether the intermuscular plane between the gluteus medius and tensor fascia lata can provide sufficient exposure for hip replacement without dividing abductors or the posterior capsule, thereby avoiding the principal complications of both posterior and traditional lateral approaches.
When planning a primary THA and prioritizing abductor preservation and low dislocation risk, this modified Watson-Jones approach offers an intermuscular plane that avoids both the nerve-at-risk territory of the direct lateral and the capsular disruption of the posterior approach — but expect a meaningful learning curve around cup anteversion control and femoral exposure, and note that formal comparative outcome data were not reported in this paper.
Bertin and Röttinger describe a mini-incision modification of the Watson-Jones anterolateral approach for primary THA. The paper asks whether the intermuscular plane between the gluteus medius and tensor fascia lata can provide sufficient exposure for hip replacement without dividing abductors or the posterior capsule, thereby avoiding the principal complications of both posterior and traditional lateral approaches.
When planning a primary THA and prioritizing abductor preservation and low dislocation risk, this modified Watson-Jones approach offers an intermuscular plane that avoids both the nerve-at-risk territory of the direct lateral and the capsular disruption of the posterior approach — but expect a meaningful learning curve around cup anteversion control and femoral exposure, and note that formal comparative outcome data were not reported in this paper.