Total hip arthroplasty: the relationship between posterolateral reconstruction, abductor muscle strength, and femoral offset.

PURPOSE To evaluate the relationship between posterolateral reconstruction, abductor muscle strength, and femoral offset following total hip arthroplasty. METHODS Of 28 patients (56 limbs) we assessed, 12 underwent posterolateral reconstruction (reconstruction group) and 16 did not (non-reconstruction group). Isometric abductor muscle strength was measured with a handheld dynamometer. Each patient's muscle strength was converted into a force to body weight ratio, and this ratio was used in the comparisons. RESULTS The reconstruction group showed a higher value in abductor muscle strength than the non-reconstruction group (p<0.05). Significant correlation between abductor muscle strength and femoral offset was found in the reconstruction group (p=0.016; r=0.674). CONCLUSION Posterolateral reconstruction and appropriate reconstruction of femoral offset following total hip arthroplasty are important to improve the abductor muscle strength.