Preservation technique of the piriformis tendon is superior to reattachment technique in terms of contiguity and muscle atrophy: using magnetic resonance imaging:

Purpose:The preservation technique of the piriformis tendon during the posterolateral approach in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is reportedly superior to the reattachment technique in terms of dislocation. However, the long-term effects of preservation of the piriformis tendon during THA remain unknown. In this study, we evaluated the contiguity of the piriformis/conjoined tendon and atrophy of the piriformis/internal obturator muscle during a long-term postoperative follow-up using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods:We retrospectively evaluated 48 patients with available MRI. The 48 patients were classified into a P group (n = 29), in which the piriformis tendon was preserved, and an R group (n = 19), in which the piriformis was reattached after sectioning. The mean follow-up duration was 45.9 months. The contiguity of the piriformis/conjoined tendon and atrophy of the piriformis/internal obturator muscle were evaluated in all patients.Results:The piriformis tendon remained attached to the greater t...