Abstract
Aim: To ameliorate surgical strategy of disabled rheumatoid hip joints, perioperative status and clinical features of the patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) were retrospectively evaluated.
Materials and Methods: 150 joints of 106 patients were studied (male/female rate; 1:6, mean age; 60 years and duration of the disease; 15 years). All patients received cemented THA (mean follow-up period; 8 years). Mode of bone defect with acetabular reconstruction type, femoral bone quality, survivorship, steroid use and complications were surveyed.
Results: In preoperative status, proturusio acetabuli was found in 37% with type I; 54%, II; 34% and III; 12% by Sotelo-Garza classification. Superior bone defect was recognized in 56%, collapse and/or defect of femoral head in 19%, and geode formation in 0.2%. Femoral medullar canal was classified as type A; 1%, type B; 53% and type C; 46% by Dorr classification. The presence of fracture before surgery was 5%. Anatomical reconstruction was achieved in all cases including application of 42% bone grafting (autogenous alone; 51%, application of artificial substitute; 39% and of cross-plating system; 10%). Acetabular revision rate due to aseptic loosening (%/years) was improved by graft methods (whole series; 5/8, any grafting; 6/8, autogenous alone; 8/8, artificial substitute; 4/8 and cross-plate system; 0/4). Revision rate for any reasons was 9% (aseptic acetabulum 5%, aseptic femur 5%, dislocation 2% and infection 1%). Dislocation (11%), infection (3%) and severe thrombotic events (1%) were experienced. Steroid use was found in 73%, associated with increased risk of protrusio acetabuli, superior bone defect with protrusio acetabuli and fractures.
Discussion and Conclusion: The study indicated that steroidal medication significantly related to the perioperative status of bone defects and perioperative fractures of rheumatoid patients undergoing THA. Improved ace-tabular procedures could promise better survivorship of the implant.
Correspondence should be addressed to Diane Przepiorski at ISTA, PO Box 6564, Auburn, CA 95604, USA. Phone: +1 916-454-9884; Fax: +1 916-454-9882; E-mail: ista@pacbell.net