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Piriformis tendon repair failure after total hip replacement
1Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center, California.
Orthopaedic Review
|February 1, 1992
Summary
Repairing the piriformis tendon after total hip replacement did not improve joint stability. Most repairs failed early, and one failure occurred in a patient who dislocated their hip.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Posterior hip dislocation is a frequent complication following total hip replacement surgery.
- Short external rotator tendon repair is sometimes suggested for postoperative hip joint stabilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of piriformis tendon repair in enhancing stability after total hip replacement.
Main Methods:
- A prospective evaluation of piriformis tendon repair was conducted in 10 consecutive patients undergoing total hip replacement.
- Surgical outcomes and hip stability were monitored during the early postoperative period.
Main Results:
- A significant failure rate was observed, with 8 out of 10 piriformis tendon repairs failing early postoperatively.
- The only patient who experienced a posterior dislocation had a repair that did not fail, suggesting no protective benefit.
Conclusions:
- Piriformis tendon repair offers no substantial advantage in maintaining the stability of a total hip replacement joint.
- Current evidence does not support the routine use of piriformis tendon repair for preventing dislocation after total hip replacement.