Abstract:Objective To explore the differences in step length, plantar pressure, and hip joint mobility in the early postoperative period between patients with femoral neck fractures treated by total hip arthroplasty (THA) via the direct anterior approach (DAA) and posterolateral approach (PLA), and to provide objective evidence for clinical surgical approach selection.Methods A prospective randomized controlled study design was adopted. A total of 63 patients with femoral neck fractures who underwent unilateral THA at Yiyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Hunan University of Chinese Medicine from October 2023 to December 2024 were selected as study subjects. Using a random number table method, they were divided into a DAA group (n = 30) and a PLA group (n = 33). At 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively, the FootWork plantar pressure analysis system was used to quantitatively measure the step length and the bilateral plantar pressure difference. Meanwhile, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) and the 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT) were used to evaluate functional hip joint mobility.Results There were no statistically significant differences in baseline data such as gender, age, and body mass index between the two groups (P > 0.05). The comparison of step length, bilateral plantar pressure difference, TUGT, and 2MWT at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively between the two groups, using repeated-measures analysis of variance, showed that: (1) there were statistically significant differences in step length, bilateral plantar pressure difference, TUGT, and 2MWT at different time points (P < 0.05); (2) there were statistically significant differences in step length, bilateral plantar pressure difference, TUGT, and 2MWT between the two groups (P < 0.05), showing a recovery trend of increased step length, decreased bilateral plantar pressure difference, shortened TUGT time, and extended 2MWT distance over time, with the DAA group showing relatively better recovery (P < 0.05); (3) there were statistically significant differences in the change trends of step length, bilateral plantar pressure difference, TUGT, and 2MWT between the two groups (P < 0.05).Conclusion DAA can more effectively improve gait symmetry, plantar pressure distribution, and hip joint function in the early stage after THA, promoting early rehabilitation, and its effect is superior to that of PLA.