Abstract
Introduction: rapidly destructive hip arthropathy is a recognised condition. Some authors considered it as a subset of osteoarthritis but none has identiþed the aetiology, pathogenesis or risk factors. Patients and methods: Authors present 14 cases of an extreme subset of rapidly destructive hip arthropathy. The radiological deterioration occurred dramatically over a short period ranging from 2 weeks up to few months. Loss of femoral head ranged from 25% up to 100% of the head volume. Acetabulum was damaged in all cases and femoral neck was partially lost in 9 cases (up to 75%). 4 cases were associated with dislocation. Age ranges from 53 to 85, female to male ratio (8 to 6), 2 patients had bilateral disease. Results: Clinical and radiological features were similar to those of neuropathic joint, infection, neoplasia, or avascular necrosis. However these conditions were excluded by further investigations; laboratory, imaging, surgical exploration and histopathology. All patients underwent hip arthroplasty. Some common (at risk) features included elderly patients, long history of receiving strong NSAIDs, radiologically atrophic and predominantly lateral disease. Conclusion: It appears that this condition represents a new entity but authors were not able to identify the aetiology. Awareness of this condition is important and at risk patients should be closely monitored.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
