Ask a PT

156 Posts
 
Posted - 04/22/2008 :  16:50:13  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Our user asked: "my question to you is what happens to the joint capsule of the hip post surgical intervention? is it lost forever, does it regenarate to cover the prosthesis, is it even cut during the surgegy? what happens to the JOINT CAPSULE??!!"

Ask a PT Response: "During a total hip replacement (posterolateral approach) the surgeon makes an incision (usually a T-shaped or V-shaped incision) at the joint capsule so that the femoral neck can be exposed. This allows the surgeon to have access for the replacement of the femoral head. At the end of the surgery, the surgeon repairs the capsule using nonabsorbable sutures or 0-vicryl. To answer your question, the hip joint capsule is usually preserved with a total hip replacement and over time heals where the incision site occurs. The only ligament in the hip which is excised is the ligamentum teres femoris, as this ligament does not contribute to the integrity of the joint or control movements there. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for using CyberPT."