Muscle Volume Recovery of the Gluteus Maximus, Gluteus Medius, and Thigh Muscles after Hip Arthropasty

It has been reported that atrophy of the muscles around the hip and thigh occurs in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) (Arokoski 2002, Suetta 2007, Rasch 2007). Total hip arthroplasty (THA) reduces pain with a resulting increase in the quality of life (QOL) and activity levels. The muscular strength of the hip and thigh also recovers. However, there have been few reports (Adolphson 1993, Rasch 2009) which quantitatively evaluated the change in the hip and thigh muscle volume after THA, and there are no reports which evaluated the change in muscle volume for more than 2 years post THA. In the previous reports, a significant increase of the muscles around the hip and thigh (iliopsoas, adductors, hamstrings, and quadriceps femoris) have been found. However, there have been no reports on the extent to which the volume of the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius can recover after THA. In this report, we quantitatively evaluated the change in the hip and thigh muscle volume after THA by using CT images. We also evaluated related factors.