Abstract
Introduction & aims: Quadriceps muscle wasting is common in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and knee. Previous studies,using ultrasound and performing biopsies, have demonstrated quadriceps muscle fibre atrophy. Thigh girth measurements are quoted in textbooks as a means of quantitatively assessing muscle bulk. This study has looked at these measurements in patients with hip and knee OA to see if these measurements are useful.
Method: 87 patients (mean age 62, range 36–87) with a diagnosis of OA were seen in the pre-assessment clinic. 47 were awaiting total hip replacement (THR) and 40 were awaiting total knee replacement (TKR).All were awaiting primary arthroplasty and had not had previous joint surgery. Thigh girth measurements were taken at 2 points corresponding with one-third and two-thirds of the length between the anterior superior iliac spine and the tibial tuberosity. These measurements were taken for both thighs. The observed differences were analysed with normal probability plots and paired Student’s t-tests.
Results: No significant difference in thigh girth could be detected in patients awaiting total knee replacement. Girth was significantly reduced in the thigh on the side of planned THR. This difference was apparent when measured both proximally and distally.
Conclusion: Measurements of thigh girth were not useful indicators of quadriceps wasting in patients awaiting TKR. Patients awaiting THR should have thigh girth measured, those with reduced thigh girth on the side of planned arthroplasty may have quadriceps atrophy and can then be referred for physiotherapy prior to surgery.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Peter Kay, Editorial Secretary. Correspondence should be addressed to British Hip Society, The Hip Centre, Wrightington Hospital, Appley Bridge, Wigan, Lancashire WN6 9EP.
