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Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.

Contact Information:

Mrs Holly Whitmore
+44 (0)1392 403473
holly.whitmore@nhs.net


Study Location:

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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Hip surgical techniques to enhance rehabilitation

Hip surgical techniques to enhance rehabilitation

Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Adult

Medical Conditions

Hip surgery


This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Total hip replacement (THR) is a successful operation for the majority of people. However, more than 10% of patients remain with pain in the operated hip one year after their operation and more than 6% are dissatisfied with their surgery.
The study will assess whether methods for completing total hip replacements that reduce soft tissue damage during surgery improve patient outcomes. In order to reach the hip joint during total hip replacement surgery, surgeons cut through tendons, which attach muscles to bone and provide stability and strength during daily activities. The study will investigate three different ways that the hip joint can be accessed for a total hip replacement. The Posterior Approach (PA) is the most frequently used method, and it involves cutting three tendons at the back of the hip joint, which are then repaired once the artificial hip is in place. It allows a clear view of the hip joint so the artificial ball and socket can be correctly positioned. The Piriformis Sparing Posterior Approach (PSPA) is a modified version of the PA, which cuts two tendons. The Spare Piriformis And Internus, Repair Externus (SPAIRE) approach is also a modification of the PA, where one tendon is cut. The PSPA and SPAIRE approaches that cut fewer tendons aim to reduce recovery time, improve rehabilitation, and improve patient satisfaction. However, cutting fewer tendons can limit the visibility and access to the hip joint, which can make positioning the socket of the artificial hip more challenging. Robotic guided surgery allows surgeons to position the artificial hip components very accurately; this may also help with the reduced visibility of the joint when fewer tendons are cut. By using robotic-guided surgery for all approaches, we will be able to assess whether cutting fewer tendons during surgery improves patient outcomes.

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

31 Oct 2023 14 Aug 2025

Participants will be randomised to one of three groups (1:1:1). Group 1 of the trial (control group) will receive THR with the current gold standard PA, in which three tendons are released. Group 2 will receive THR with a PSPA, in which two tendons are released. Group 3 will receive THR with a SPAIRE approach in which one tendon is released. All participants will receive THR using MAKO robotic guidance.


Patients aged 18 years or older, with osteoarthritis of the hip

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. Patients with active systemic or local infection that would preclude standard THR surgery2. Patients undergoing bilateral THR in same operative episode3. Patients unable to give informed consent4. Patients unable or unwilling to take part in the trial process, including patients unable to undertake activity monitoring data collection or complete the PROMS questionnaires in English (English is the only common translation available in official translations of all six PROMS)


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
    Royal Devon University NHS Ft Barrack Road
    Exeter
    EX2 5DW

Participating in the HIPSTER trial will ensure patients are at the cutting edge of hip research and will ensure they are able to have the MAKO robot being used in their procedure to help plan their procedure and also help optimise implant positioning. They will be guiding national and worldwide education on tendon sparing approaches for hip replacement surgery and making a difference to help guide surgeons choose the right surgical approach for a patient’s total hip replacement. This will subsequently ensure surgeons choose the best performing approach for their patients with subsequent benefit in patient outcomes.
Risks of participating are minimal and not increased compared to the usual risk of hip replacement surgery. There is some added (mostly virtual) contact required to complete patient reported outcome measures and the need to wear an activity monitor watch prior to and after surgery, and subsequent return of these monitors to the research team. One extra blood test is required after surgery where only a small amount of blood is required. No other risks are anticipated.


The study is sponsored by Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and funded by NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Co-ordinating Centre (NETSCC).




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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN27974201

Or CPMS 57474

Last updated 10 September 2024

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