title: Damage to the superior gluteal nerve after two different approaches to the hip.
abstract: We have carried out a blind, prospective study of 50 consecutive patients undergoing replacement arthroplasty of the hip using two different approaches. Clinical assessment, including the Harris hip score and a modified Trendelenberg test, and electrophysiological examination of the abductor muscles of the hip were undertaken before and three months after surgery. We found that 48% of patients had preoperative evidence of chronic injury to the superior gluteal nerve. Perioperative injury to the nerve occurred commonly with both approaches to the hip. We did not find a significant correlation between injury to the superior gluteal nerve and clinical problems.
authors.affiliation: Cappagh Orthopaedic Hospital, Finglas, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kenny
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Synnott
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002081:Buttocks / Q000294:innervation*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies