Publication

Abstract : Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is one of the major inflammatory arthropathies, with a reported involvement of hip joint in about 30% to 50% of patients. The results of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis were studied to determine the utility of THA for these patients. A total of 24 patients with ankylosing spondylitis underwent 47 THAs; 23 patients (95.8%) had bilateral surgery. The mean follow-up was 6.3 years. The mean age at surgery was 36 years. Before surgery, 14 hips (29.7%) were found to be ankylosed. Postoperatively heterotopic ossification was noticed in 7 hips (14.8%); and one patient had functional impairment because of re-ankylosis. At final follow-up examination, 41 hips (87%) had an excellent (low) pain score, and 5 hips had a normal or near-normal function score (10.6%). THA provides long-term improvement in hip function for patients with ankylosing spondylitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]