title: Prevalence of abductor mechanism tears of the hips in patients with osteoarthritis.
abstract: In a prospective study of 176 consecutive patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis, we identified 34 (20%) with degenerative pathology of the abductor mechanism. These degenerative tears were commoner in elderly women. The hip capsule usually was involved, but in 6 patients (16%), the gluteus minimus or medius tendons were involved in isolation. These abductor mechanism tears are progressive in nature and the result of degenerative processes.
authors.affiliation: London Health Sciences Centre, University Campus, 339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario, N6A 5A5 Canada.
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Biggs
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Bourne
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013708:Tendon Injuries