Quadriceps muscle wasting persists 5 months after total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis of the hip: a pilot study

Abstract

There is significant ipsilateral quadriceps atrophy and weakness with 2A and 2B fibre atrophy preoperatively in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip with exacerbation and further atrophy of all three fibre types 5 days postoperatively. Postoperative follow up showed that the reduction in ipsilateral quadriceps muscle thickness persisted at 5 months despite physical rehabilitation. Patients did note significant improvement in pain postoperatively and improvement on functional assessment with the TUG test. Other therapeutic strategies may have to be developed to reverse disuse muscle atrophy.