Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Following Bilateral Cemented Total Hip Replacements

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare, serious complication caused by neuroleptic medications. It is characterized by rigidity, hyperthermia, tachycardia, leukocytosis, and an elevated creatine kinase (CK). We present a case of a 50-year-old male who underwent bilateral total hip replacements and subsequently developed NMS. This condition is typically triggered by the sudden introduction, omission, or change in dose of a neuroleptic; in contrast with previous case reports of post-surgical NMS, however, no such trigger was identifiable for our patient. Moreover, this is the first reported case of NMS after single-stage bilateral hip arthroplasty. Consequently, by presenting this case report we hope to make clinicians aware of the possibility of NMS occurring after hip arthroplasty in any patient taking longterm neuroleptics.