Assessing Regeneration of Mechanoreceptors in Human Hip Pseudocapsule After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of our study was to determine whether specific mechanoreceptors would regenerate in the pseudocapsule that had formed in place of the native capsule after primary total hip replacement (THR). Methods: We studied 20 full-thickness samples of pseudocapsule tissue from patients undergoing revision THR surgery. All patients had had a partial capsulectomy during primary THR. The specimens were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical dyes using a monoclonal antibody against S-100 protein. Results: No mechanoreceptors were detected in the pseudocapsule of any of the specimens. Conclusion: Our study concludes that if a partial capsulectomy is performed during primary THR, the replaced pseudocapsule will not have any active neurophysiological role in the hip. In this context, we recommend the preservation of hip joint capsule and an anatomical repair at the time of primary THR. Preservation of neurophysiologically viable tissue has been shown to reduce dislocation and may lead to better functional recovery.

Keywords

• mechanoreceptors
• pseudocapsule
• total hip replacement