Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2025

The Transition to an Anterior-Based Muscle Sparing Approach Improves Early Postoperative Function but is Associated with a Learning Curve
Published on: September 7, 2022
Survival of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in sickle cell disease
1The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam AbdulRahman Bin Faisal University, POBOX 2208, AlKhobar, 31952, Saudi Arabia. AlOmranAbdallahS@gmail.com.
Background:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of THA done in patients with sickle cell disease at a single center, and compare with rest of the world before we could recommend routine THA in SCD patients.
Methods:
In 92 patients, 117 THAs were performed in sickle cell patients. Seventy-six (76) patients had homozygous hemoglobin (Hgb SS) disease, whereas sixteen had sickle cell trait (Hgb AS). Patients with Grade III Ficat and above avascular necrosis of the head of femur (ANFH) with cementless porous-coated proximal femur fixation were included in this analysis. Harris hip score was modified (MHHS) and used for assessment of improvement and visual analog scale score (VAS), for pain assessment.
Result:
VAS improved from average pre-operative mean of 7 (7-9) to 2.5 (1-5). The average pre-operative MHHS was 44 (32-63), and it improved to 79 (71-88) in the final mean follow-up of 12.4 (4-18) years. Nine patients (9.7%) had complications and revision surgery was required in seven (5.9%) for aseptic loosening.
Conclusion:
Our analysis shows that THA in sickle cell disease is safe with average 12 years of follow-up, indicating that surgery in these young patients (≤ 25 years) is safe and should not be delayed.
Related Concept Videos
Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy...
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management

