Outcome of total hip arthroplasty for avascular necrosis of femoral head in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: A comparative study

• Published in: Egyptian rheumatologist Vol. 44; no. 3; pp. 181 - 184
• Main Authors: Elsaid, Nora Y., Saad, Tarek A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2022
• Subjects: Avascular necrosis femoral head; Orthopedic surgery; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Total hip arthroplasty; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Orthopedic surgery; Avascular necrosis femoral head; Total hip arthroplasty
• ISSN: 1110-1164; 2090-2433
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejr.2021.12.004

Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a major cause of disability in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients which directly affects the functionality and quality of life. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is indicated for severe cases with major disability and severe pain. It is still debatable if SLE is an independent risk factor for poor outcome in THA or not. To evaluate the result of THA for AVN of the femur head in SLE patients. 22 THAs were performed in 20 SLE patients and were compared with the results of 25 hips of 22 patients who had THA due to AVN with non-SLE conditions. All patients were followed up after the surgery at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months post-operatively, and then yearly for functional and radiological outcomes. The Harris hip score (HHS) increased from a preoperative average of 26 points to 93.52 at the most recent follow-up. In the control group, the mean HHS was 26 preoperatively and 95.52 postoperatively at the last follow-up. Visual analog scale for pain (VAS pain) decreased from 8 in SLE and 6 in the non-SLE group to 2 and 1 respectively. No significant difference was found between SLE patients and non-SLE patients regarding complications except for more chest infections in the SLE group. No mortality was recorded in both groups in the postoperative follow-up period of a mean of thirty months. THA outcome is as favorable in AVN patients with SLE as in non-SLE.