Abstract
Introduction
The results of repair and reconstruction of lesions found in the abductor muscles and tendons during posterior approach to primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) were reported in 2018. During the course of this series it became apparent that the extent of damage in the abductor tendons and muscles usually was obscured by the hypertrophic greater trochanteric bursa, especially the deep layer adherent to the greater trochanter and abductor muscles. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgeon's ability to see these lesions during standard posterior approach, and also to describe the dissection necessary to fully expose them.
Patients and Methods
A total of 525 patients (525 hips) underwent primary THA through posterior approach between 2009 and 2013. Fifty-four patients had mild chronic damage to the tendon. Forty-one patients had severe damage with major avulsion of the gluteus medius and minimus muscles.
Results
None of the hips with normal abductor muscle structure had a dense trochanteric bursa to obscure the abductor attachment to bone, but in 35 hips (85.3%) with significant abductor tendon avulsion, the lesions in the tendons were hidden from view until the greater trochanteric bursa was dissected. Splitting the deep layer of the trochanteric bursa in line with the fibers of the abductor muscles was necessary to reveal avulsion of the tendons from the edge of the greater trochanter. Only six hips (14.6%) had abductor tendon avulsion from the greater trochanter that could be seen without removing the trochanteric bursa tissue.
Conclusion
The posterior approach offered excellent exposure of the abductor mechanism during primary THA, but the avulsion defects in the gluteus medius and minimus muscles remained obscured until the outer layer of the greater trochanteric bursa was completely removed and the deep fibrous layer was dissected adequately to expose the tendon attachment to bone.
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