Superior Functional Outcome and Comparable Health-Related Quality of Life after Enhanced Recovery vs. Conventional THA: A Retrospective Matched Pair Analysis

Background: The concept of enhanced recovery after total hip arthroplasty is gaining worldwide interest, as it shortens the length of hospital stay without an increase of complications. The aim of the study was to investigate the functional outcome and health-related quality of life 12 months after cementless total hip arthroplasty with the use of an enhanced recovery concept in comparison to a conventional rehabilitation. Material and Methods: 320 patients were retrospectively analyzed who underwent primary cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA). A total of 123 of the patients received an enhanced recovery program (ERAS) and 197 patients a conventional rehabilitation (Non-ERAS). Twelve months postoperatively, a clinical examination was performed regarding satisfaction, function and pain. Results were evaluated using WOMAC, EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS. A 1:1 matching was performed to correct for confounding variables, regarding age, sex and ASA score. Finally, 122 patients (n = 61, in each group) were analyzed and compared. Results: Patients showed a significant improvement of WOMAC total score, subscale pain, subscale stiffness and subscale function from preoperative to the follow up after 12 months in both groups, with significantly superior results for the WOMAC total score for the ERAS group (p = 0.042). EQ-5D and EQ-5D VAS showed a significant improvement from preoperative to 12 months postoperative (p < 0.001) for both groups, while no difference regarding the group-comparison was shown. Conclusion: Health-related quality of life and functional outcome increased to excellent values after total hip arthroplasty with the use of an enhanced recovery concept and a conventional rehabilitation, with a superior WOMAC total score for ERAS and a tendency to better results for health-related quality of life for patients with ERAS within the follow up after 12 months.