Aim. The purpose of the study was to assess the safety of Intra-articular steroid hip injections (IASHI), prior to ipsilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA). Method. We investigated whether there was an excess of infection in such a group 7–10 years after total hip arthroplasty. A database of 49 patients who had undergone IASHI followed by ipsilateral THA was reviewed. Results. The mean length of time between injection and arthroplasty was 12.1 months (5.1–19 months). We found 7 major complications. Ten patients died with no further hip surgery at a mean of 28 months from surgery; 3 were lost to follow-up. The remaining group (36) were contacted by telephone at a mean of 97.8 (85–117) months from their surgery. No objective signs of joint infection were found. Conclusion. We believe our results show that ipsilateral steroid injection does not confer an increased risk of complications following subsequent THA, over an extended follow up

Arthrosis of the hip joint can be a significant source of pain and dysfunction. While hip replacement surgery has emerged as the gold standard for the treatment of end stage coxarthrosis, there are several non-arthroplasty management options that can help patients with mild and moderate hip arthritis. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review early prophylactic interventions that may help defer or avoid hip arthroplasty. Nonoperative management for the symptomatic hip involves minimizing joint inflammation and maximizing joint mobility through intra-articular joint injections and exercise therapy. While weight loss, activity modifications, and low impact exercises is generally recommended for patients with arthritis, the effects of these modalities on joint strength and mobility are highly variable. Intra-articular steroid injections tended to offer reliable short-term pain relief (3–4 weeks) but provided unreliable long-term efficacy. Additionally, injections of hyaluronic acid do not appear to provide improved pain relief compared to other modalities. Finally, platelet rich plasma injections do not perform better than HA injections for patients with moderate hip joint arthrosis. Primary hip joint arthrosis is rare, and therefore treatment such as peri-acetabular osteotomies, surgical dislocations, and hip arthroscopy and related procedures are aimed to minimise symptoms but potentially aim to alter the natural history of hip diseases. The state of the articular cartilage at the time of surgery is critical to the success or failure of any joint preservation procedures. Lech et al. reported in a series of dysplastic patients undergoing periacetabular osteotomies that one third of hips survived 30 years without progression of arthritis or conversion to THA. Similarly, surgical dislocation of the hip, while effective for treatment of femoroacetabular impingement, carries a high re-operation rate at 7 years follow up. Finally, as the prevalence of hip arthroscopic procedures continues to rise, it is important to recognise that failure to address the underlying structural pathologies can lead to failure and rapid joint destruction. In summary, several treatment modalities are available for the management of hip pain and dysfunction in patients with a preserved joint space. While joint preservation procedures can help improve pain and function, they rarely alter the natural history of hip disease. The status of the articular cartilage at the time of surgery is the most important predictor of treatment success or failure

Drug therapy forms an integral part of the management of many orthopaedic conditions. However, many medicines can produce serious adverse reactions if prescribed inappropriately, either alone or in combination with other drugs. Often these hazards are not appreciated. In response to this, the European Union recently issued legislation regarding safety measures which member states must adopt to minimise the risk of errors of medication.

In March 2014 the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and NHS England released a Patient Safety Alert initiative focussed on errors of medication. There have been similar initiatives in the United States under the auspices of The National Coordinating Council for Medication Error and The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. These initiatives have highlighted the importance of informing and educating clinicians.

Here, we discuss common drug interactions and contra-indications in orthopaedic practice. This is germane to safe and effective clinical care.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:434–41.