Abstract

A braided wire suture marker was used to assess the integrity of abductor muscle repair following direct lateral approaches to the hip. The effect of a failed abductor repair on functional outcome was determined. Patients underwent total hip arthroplasty performed by a single surgeon using the direct lateral approach. Following hip abductor repair a braided wire suture marker was stitched into the lower end of the flap. Subsequent suture movement was measured using radiographs. Oxford hip scores were collected prospectively. Fifty six arthroplasties were performed with no complications. Eleven percent (n = 6) of the repairs detached and 89% (n = 50) of the repairs were either intact or showed only slight movement. No association was demonstrated between wire movement and pre-operative, post-operative, or post-operative change in Oxford hip score. Abductor repair failure did not significantly impact on functional outcome. It is proposed that the wire marker provides a simple method of making a standard follow-up hip radiograph more informative.