Total hip arthroplasty in ankylosing spondylitis: an analysis of 181 hips.

The results of cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis were studied to determine the utility of THA for these patients. A total of 103 patients with ankylosing spondylitis underwent 181 THAs; 72 patients (69.9%) had bilateral surgery. The mean follow-up was 10.3 years. The mean age of patients at surgery was 47 years. Before surgery, 42 hips (23.2%) were ankylosed. Revision surgery was carried out in 25 hips (13.8%). Heterotopic ossification was present in 21 hips (11.6%); however, no patients had functional impairment or reankylosis. At final follow-up examination, 173 hips (96%) had an excellent (low) pain score, and 53 hips had a normal or near-normal function score (29.2%). The probability of survival of the implant was 71% at 27 years. THA provides long-term improvement in hip function for patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA).