[Rapidly progressing destructive diseases of the hip].

Rapidly destructive hip disease includes rapid forms of infectious and inflammatory arthritis, tabetic hip degeneration, arthropathies associated with articular chondrocalcinosis, ochronosis, haemochromatosis and haemodialysis, and rapidly destructive osteoarthritis of the hip, first described in France in 1970. It is defined by progressive narrowing of the joint space by at least 2 mm per year (0.80 to 2 mm for the semirapid form), while common osteoarthritis only loses 0 to 0.80 mm per year (mean: 0.22 mm/year). Chrondrolysis leads to an erosion abrading subchondral bone. Painful disability is generally more severe than in common osteoarthritis. Passive range of movement is fairly well conserved for a long time. Risk factors are advanced age, excess weight, and excessive locomotor activity (about 50% of cases). Treatment consists of total hip replacement.