Radiological diagnosis of abductor denervation after hip surgery

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Hip Arthroplasty
• Surgical Approaches

Background:

• Direct lateral approach is a common surgical technique for total hip arthroplasty.
• Assessing post-operative hip function and potential complications is crucial.

Observation:

• A case involving total hip arthroplasty via a direct lateral approach presented with a markedly positive Trendelenburg test post-surgery.
• Radiographic imaging revealed findings suggestive of gluteus medius muscle denervation.

Findings:

• Computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the denervation of the gluteus medius.
• Standard post-operative radiographs after total hip replacement can indicate gluteus medius denervation.

Implications:

• Highlights a potential complication associated with the direct lateral approach in hip arthroplasty.
• Emphasizes the importance of correlating clinical findings with imaging to accurately diagnose post-operative complications.
• Suggests that radiographic signs following hip replacement may warrant further investigation for nerve-related issues.