Total hip arthroplasty in sickle cell hemoglobinopathy

Twenty-two arthroplasties were performed in 14 patients with sickle cell hemoglobinopathy (SCH). There were 15 primary and seven revision procedures; none were lost to follow-up evaluation. In the primary arthroplasty group, there were two deaths in patients whose implants were functioning well. The remaining 13 hips had a mean follow-up period of 4.8 years. Failure occurred in five of these 13 hips (38%), four due to aseptic acetabular loosening and one due to sepsis. In the revision arthroplasty group, at a mean follow-up period of 5.3 years, failure occurred in three hips (43%), one due to acetabular loosening, one due to femoral loosening, and one due to sepsis. Perioperative complication rates were high in both groups. Femoral intramedullary sclerosis and bone altered by marrow hyperplasia were associated with intraoperative technical difficulties as well as problems with achieving long-term component fixation. Though total hip arthroplasty provides the most reliable measure of effective treatment in SCH, it carries a high risk of complications and failure.