title: Capsular neuronal elements and their relation to pain reduction and functional improvement following total hip replacement.
abstract: We studied changes of pain intensity and functional impairment in 22 patients with osteoarthrosis undergoing total hip replacement. Using a visual analogue scale, the mean scores for pain and disability before surgery were 71.7 and 70.9 respectively. Both scores showed gradual improvement during a 1-year follow-up period, with more than 90% of the total improvement occurring within the first 3 months. After 1 year, the scores for pain and disability were 11.9 and 4.1 respectively. The hip joint capsule was studied using immunohistochemistry to detect neurofilaments. Neurofilament immunoreactivity was observed in 16/22 cases and was correlated with pain and disability scores. However, there were no correlations between pre- and postoperative pain scores, the score changes, and the quantity of capsular neurofilaments. Thus, other factors than capsular neurofilaments influence the scores of pain and disability in osteoarthritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical Health and Science Center, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt 98, 4012, Debrecen, Hungary. lgaspar@jaguar.dote.hu
authors.forename: Levente
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gáspár
authors.forename: Balázs
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dezso
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Csernátony
authors.forename: Lilla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gáspár
authors.forename: János
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szabó
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Szekanecz
authors.forename: Kálmán
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szepesi
authors.forename: Klára
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matesz
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000294:innervation* / Q000378:metabolism; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000378:metabolism*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016896:Treatment Outcome