Chondrolysis of the hip joint in a patient receiving long-term hemodialysis: histologic and biochemical evaluation.

We describe a patient undergoing long-term hemodialysis, in whom severe chondrolysis of the hip joint developed. The chondrolysis evolved in the absence of synovial inflammation and articular chondrocalcinosis. Biochemical studies of articular cartilage retained at surgery revealed deposition of exclusively small proteoglycans in the matrix. This may have been an important factor leading to the rapid chondrolysis in this patient.