The frequency and point in time of failure of repaired short external rotator muscles were determined in 27 total hip arthroplasties. The piriformis, triceps coxae, and obturator externus muscles were released close to the trochanter and reattached only if tension was low and if the tendon tissue allowed a good hold for anchoring the stitch. A radiopaque marker was attached to each side of the suture with maximum 1-cm distance between opposite markers. The distance between markers was determined on radiographs obtained 1 day and 3 months postoperatively; >/=2.5 cm indicated failure. Of 50 repaired short external rotator muscles, 35 (70%) failed-26 within the first day and 9 within 3 months postoperatively. In 2 hips, no failure of the repaired short external rotator muscles was observed. Repair of the short external rotator muscles after total hip arthroplasty contributes little to prevention of hip dislocation.