Lateral trochanteric bursa repair improves early hip function after posterior approach total hip arthroplasty: a prospective randomized control trial

Abstract Background The trochanteric bursa (TB) is an anatomic structure, which is dissected during posterior/lateral hip approaches in Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA). Some surgeons prefer to simply resect the bursa as they believe that it may be responsible for postoperative lateral trochanteric pain (LTP). Others advocate that this tissue acts as a buffer minimizing friction between soft tissue and bone, and therefore its repair may prevent LTP after THA. Aim The purpose of this prospective randomized controlled trial was to compare the clinical results of either resecting or repairing the TB during posterior approach THA. Methods Forty-two patients with primary hip osteoarthritis undergoing THA via a posterior hip approach were randomly assigned to two groups; Group A, or TB resection group and Group B, or TB repair group. All patients in both groups were evaluated postoperatively in terms of hip function, measured by the Harris Hip Score (HHS), at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery, as well as LTP during daily routine activities and lying on the operative side. Results Forty patients completed the study. Postoperative difference in terms of leg length and femoral offset was similar among the two groups (P = 0.467 and P = 0.39, respectively). At 6 weeks, patients in Group B had higher HHS (P = 0.052) and experienced less LTP when lying on the operative side (P = 0.046) but not during activities (P = 0.759). Thereafter, all functional parameters measured had comparable values in both groups. Subgroup analysis failed to identify any correlation between high offset stems and LTP. Conclusion TB repair in posterior approach THA improves hip functional recovery as well as patients’ ability to lie on the operative side during the early postoperative period.