ABDUCTOR AVULSION AFTER PRIMARY TOTAL HIP-ARTHROPLASTY - RESULTS OF REPAIR

The results of reoperation and repair of abductor musculature avulsion that occurred as a complication of a primary total hip arthroplasty p erformed through an anterolateral approach were reviewed in nine patie nts 2 to 13.5 years (mean, 4.8) after repair. Limp was markedly decrea sed in five of nine patients, and need for ambulatory aids also was re duced in five of the nine. Improvement continued for 1 to 3 years afte r the repair. Objectively, three of the four patients (75%) without si gnificant preoperative pain had a good or excellent result, whereas on ly one of five patients (20%) with significant preoperative pain had a good or excellent result. In all three cases where hip instability wa s a presenting symptom, it was successfully treated. Four patients fel t they were much better, three felt somewhat better, and two felt they gained no improvement by repair. This information suggests that the b est indications for repair are symptoms of marked abductor weakness or hip instability; significant preoperative pain is less likely to be d ecreased.