Total hip arthroplasty in Salmonella coxitis: four cases report

Suppurative coxitis induced by salmonella is rarely reported in the literature. Furthermore, reconstruction with a total hip arthroplasty (THA) in such patients has never been reported. However, in this study, we present 4 cases; 2 normal male patients and 2 female patients with underlying systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The ages range from 26 to 61 years. All 4 cases revealed growth of group B salmonella from the cultures of synovial fluid. They all received THA after the infections were eradicated. The functional assessment of pain, range of motion, walking ability together with the radiographic assessment were used according to the new hip score system. After a minimum follow-up of 2 years, all of the reconstructed hips showed good to excellent results since no infections recurred during this period. Although the long-term results are uncertain, the short-term clinical advantage of THA in the treatment of quiescent salmonella coxitis is encouraging.