POST-OPERATIVE LEG OFFSET DISCREPANCY INFLUENCES SOFT-TISSUE TENSION IN TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY

IntroductionInappropriate soft tissue tension around an artificial hip is regarded as one cause of dislocation or abductor muscle weakness. It has been considered that restoration of leg offset is important to optimise soft tissue tension in THA, while it is unclear what factors determine soft tissue tension around artificial hip joints. The purpose of the present study was to assess how postoperative leg offset influence the soft tissue tension around artificial hip joints.Materials and MethodsThe subjects were 89 consecutive patients who underwent mini-incision THA using a navigation system through antero-lateral or postero-lateral approach. Soft tissue tension was measured by applying traction amounting to 40% of body weight with the joint positioned at 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45° of flexion. The distance of separation between the head and the cup was measured using the navigation system.ResultsThe distance of cup/head separation differed significantly for different angles of flexion, with the greatest dista...