Radiographic geometric measures of the hip joint and abductor muscle function in patients after total hip replacement

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2007

Authors

amaro, aj (Author) Other; amado, f (Author) Other; mendes, a (Author) Other; oliveira, j (Author) Other; malheiro, a (Author) Other; meireles, a (Author) Other; appell, hj (Author) Other; duarte, ja (Author) FADEUP

Journal

Title: European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology

Vol. 17

Pages: 437-443

ISSN: 1633-8065

Publisher: Springer

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus - 3 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-7R4

DOI: 10.1007/s00590-007-0207-3

Abstract (EN): The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between radiographic geometric measurements (abductor lever arm and abductor muscle length) and abductor muscle function in osteoarthritic hip joint patients after surgery. Thirteen patients (11 males and 2 females, aged 55 to 74 years old) were evaluated at least 6 months after unilateral total hip replacement due to primary coxarthrosis. The length of the abductor muscles and their lever arm were measured on standardized antero-posterior hip radiographs taken in supine position; the product of these two values, namely the dysfunction index (DI), was considered an estimate for the hip abductor torque. The abductor muscle function was evaluated through the measurement of the range (degrees) and duration (seconds) of maximal active hip abduction (with patients in lateral decubitus) and through the time sustaining the Trendelenburg test position (single leg stance). Considering the percentage of variation, related to the contralateral hip joint (used as control), a significant positive correlation was found between both, abductor lever length and DI, and the time of maximal hip abduction (r = 0.61 and r = 0.63, P < 0.05). Moreover, a positive trend (P = 0.08) was found between DI and the time spent in Trendelenburg position (r = 0.54). The presented data provide evidence that lever arm and DI of hip abductor muscles are correlated with muscular capacity to resist fatigue. These results emphasize the importance of thorough surgical planning before total hip replacement with emphasis to the geometric hip parameters, which seem to determine the clinical outcome.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7