Evaluation of the distribution of mechanoreceptors in the hip joint with severe coxarthrosis in 9 patients: A histologic and stereological study

• Published in: Morphologie 2022-09, Vol.106 (354), p.163-168
• Main Authors: Tekin, B., Bilgili, M.G., Edipoglu, E., Senturk, G.E., Kolbasi, B., Shojaolsadati, P., Atasever, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coxarthrosis; Hip joint; Insicion; Mechanoreceptor; Stereology
• ISSN: 1286-0115
• DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2021.06.002

•We present a detailed discussion of the anatomical distribution of mechanoreceptors in coxarthrosis.•Also, accurate knowledge of the distribution of mechanoreceptors in the joint capsule is essential to plan the incision.•The distribution of mechanoreceptors in all anatomical structures that stabilize the hip joint, with the highest density of mechanoreceptors observed in the transverse acetabular ligament.•It is concluded that the anterior aspect of the joint capsule is a safe site for surgical incisions. Due to its high mobility, hip joint plays a crucial role in executing many movements such as standing, sitting, running, crouching. The distribution of mechanoreceptors and neural elements in anatomical structures that provide stabilization of the hip joint is important in determining the optimal surgical incision site for the hip joint stabilizers in patients with coxarthrosis. Various studies have been conducted about the mechanoreceptors and distribution of neural elements in structures such as the transvers acetabular ligament, teres (round) ligament of femur, acetabular labrum and hip joint capsule with using various staining methods. To our knowledge, there is insufficient information about the mechanoreceptor distribution within the anatomic structures that participate in stabilization of the hip joint. This study is planned to examine the distribution of mechanoreceptors in the transverse acetabular ligament, teres ligament, acetabular labrum and joint capsule in samples obtained during the surgery who are operated for hip replacement surgery due to severe coxarthrosis. Each specimen was stained with silver impregnation technique and density of mechanoreceptors were estimated by stereological method. Teres ligament has the highest number of mechanoreceptors among all other specimens. Within the joint capsule, mechanoreceptors were most abundant at its antero-inferior part, whereas its anterior part contained the lowest number of mechanoreceptors. These results suggest that, as the anterior part of hip capsule bears the lowest number of mechanoreceptors, it might be safer for incision during total hip arthroplasty surgery.