Total hip replacement in patients with renal transplants
S. J. Chmell, C. M. Schwartz, J. L. Giacchino and T. S. Ing
In a retrospective study of total hip replacement (THR) arthroplasty in
patients with renal transplants, femoral head avascular necrosis (AVN) was
found in 19 of 138 (15%) patients. Nine THRs in eight of these 19 patients
(average age, 47 years) were studied. Preoperatively, all patients had hip
pain due to AVN and a history of long-term treatment with systemic
corticosteroids. Six of the eight patients had been treated with parenteral
pulsed steroids on three occasions, and the other two patients on one
occasion, for rejection episodes. All patients showed some degree of
femoral head collapse roentgenographically. There were no major surgical
complications. All patients had markedly improved functional capacities and
relief of pain. With follow-up averaging three years, there has been no
evidence of component loosening.
