The direct anterior approach (DAA) in total hip arthroplasty is of significant interest to both patients and surgeons, largely due to intense marketing. This study addressed the question, “What is the level of promotion of DAA total hip arthroplasty on the internet by American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) members?”
An internet search was performed to identify surgeon-specific websites for each member of the AAHKS using the members’ full name and a previously published set of criteria. Each website was evaluated utilizing a questionnaire to systematically identify claims made regarding proposed DAA-specific risks, benefits, as well as the presence/absence of supporting data.
We identified 1855 qualified websites. The DAA was referenced on 22.8% (423/1855) of these websites. Claims regarding DAA-specific benefits included less invasive/muscle sparing (46.3%), quicker recovery (45.2%), decreased pain (28.1%), decreased hospital stay (22.0%), and decreased dislocation risk (16.3%). Potential DAA risks including lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury, periprosthetic/greater trochanteric fracture, and wound complication/hematoma were addressed on only 4.7%, 3.1%, and 1.7% of websites, respectively. Supporting peer-reviewed literature was identified on only 3.6% of DAA websites.
Over one-fifth of AAHKS members promoted the DAA on the internet. Member websites claimed DAA benefits such as faster recovery and decreased pain approximately 9 times more frequently than any potential risk of the procedure (P < .001). While AAHKS policy does not regulate member marketing, it is the responsibility of all orthopedic surgeons to disseminate accurate, validated information concerning the procedures we perform.