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Total hip arthroplasty in patients with Down's syndrome
Yona Kosashvili1, Drew Taylor, David Backstein
1Division of Arthroplasty, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada. yonasofi@gmail.com
International Orthopaedics
|May 6, 2010
Summary
Total hip arthroplasty (THA) offers significant hip function improvement for Down's syndrome patients with coxarthrosis. This study shows THA is a reliable option for managing hip pain in this population.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Genetics
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Patients with Down's syndrome (DS) exhibit a higher prevalence of coxarthrosis.
- Increased life expectancy in DS patients can lead to symptomatic hip joint degeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with Down's syndrome.
- To assess long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of THA in this specific patient group.
Main Methods:
- A consecutive series of seven patients (nine hips) with Down's syndrome underwent primary total hip arthroplasty.
- Clinical outcomes were assessed using Harris hip scores (HHS), with an average follow-up of 9.9 years.
Main Results:
- Significant improvement in HHS from a mean of 41.1 to 80.2 (p < 0.01).
- Two cases required revision arthroplasty due to stem loosening (at 16 years for osteolysis, 6 years for trauma).
- Six THAs necessitated a constrained liner; no dislocations or deep infections were observed.
Conclusions:
- Total hip arthroplasty is a reliable surgical intervention for symptomatic coxarthrosis in patients with Down's syndrome.
- THA can provide substantial functional improvement and pain relief in this population.
