Bilateral total hip arthroplasty in subjects with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia.

Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) is a rare autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia caused by abnormalities in the gene(s) coding for type IX collagen and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein. Clinically, the disease is characterized by abnormalities in the epiphyseal cartilage of multiple joints. Orthopedic manifestations include pain and restricted mobility. The disorder, which has a predilection for the femoral head and acetabulum, usually presents from the third to the fourth decade with secondary hip osteoarthritis. We report on 7 subjects affected by multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, which presented hip osteoarthritis in their third decade of life and underwent staged bilateral total hip arthroplasty. All patients experienced pain relief and improved quality of life after surgical treatment.