Hip dysfunction-related urinary incontinence: A prospective analysis of 189 female patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty

Patients reporting that their symptoms of urinary incontinence have decreased after total hip arthroplasty can be encountered in orthopedic practice. In this questionnaire-based study, we prospectively evaluated the symptoms of urinary incontinence before and after total hip arthroplasty. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form was used to prospectively evaluate these symptoms in 189 consecutive female patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. The patients were asked to fill in a questionnaire before and 3 months after surgery. A decrease in the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form score of >= 1 point was defined as an improvement, whereas an increase of >= 1 point was defined as worsening. A total of 81 (43%) patients reported urinary incontinence before total hip arthroplasty. At 3 months after surgery, symptoms of urinary incontinence were improved in 64% of these patients, remained unchanged in 32% and worsened in 4%. Mean International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form score in patients with urinary incontinence before surgery significantly improved from 6.0 to 3.5 (P = 0.0002). These findings suggest a relationship between hip joint function and pelvic floor function, and consequently a hip dysfunction-related urinary incontinence.