Total hip replacement in sickle cell disease.

We report on 35 total hip replacement arthroplasties in 28 patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head secondary to sickle cell disease (SCD). There were 15 men and 13 women with a mean age of 27.5 years. In all patients Harris hip scores improved from a mean of 36 pre-operative to 86 post-operative. However, at a mean follow-up of 9.5 (5-15) years six hips failed due to symptomatic aseptic loosening and one due to late deep infection. Our results support the decision to offer the procedure for patients with arthritic hips secondary to SCD. It is important that patients and surgeons should be aware of the wide varieties of complications.