Partial Denervation and Anterior Release of the Hip Joint Capsule to Relieve Pain and Improve Function at Five Years Follow-up

Traditionally, patients with significant hip pain due to degenerative hip disease, who are not surgical candidates for a total hip arthroplasty (THA), or are wary of the procedure, have been managed with various modalities with variable effectiveness.We have recently developed an anterior release of the contracted hip capsule along with par- tial denervation ofthe hip joint performed on an out- patient basis to relieve pain and improve function.A case series of 24 patients.From November 2007 to April 2009, 24 partial,denervation procedures through an anterior approach were performed by a single surgeon. A clinical survey was conducted five years following the intervention.Eighteen ofthe 24 patients were alive at the time of follow-up. Four of the six patients who were deceased at the time of follow-up had not undergone aTHA while two had. Fifteen ofthe 18 patients who were still living received a THA while three did not. Ihe interval time to arthroplasty was 19 months.