A painful problem : trochanteric bursitis following total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate the incidence of trochanteric bursitis post total hip arthroplasty and to examine for a causative association with change in offset, lateralisation and leg length discrepancy occurring post total hip arthroplasty.

A retrospective study was performed on 200 con- secutive total hip arthroplasties performed by a single surgeon. Patients were evaluated using a compre- hensive total hip arthroplasty database, clinical notes and radiographic imaging. The incidence of symptomatic trochanteric bursitis requiring cortico- steroid injection in this patient cohort was calculated. Radiographic analysis was performed for affected patients and a control group of unaffected patients.

The incidence of symptomatic trochanteric bursitis requiring corticosteroid injection was 7%. There was no statistically significant difference in radiographic parameters between the two groups.

Trochanteric bursitis post total hip arthroplasty is a poorly understood clinical entity, but one with a significant negative impact on outcome post THA. The incidence of trochanteric bursitis requiring corticosteroid injection in this study was 7%, making it one of the most common complications post total hip arthroplasty.