Total Loss of Femoral Head and Acetabulum in Rapidly Destructive Hip Disease

Excerpt

Rapidly destructive disease of the hip can result in total destruction of the hip cartilage. We describe a case of rapidly destructive hip disease.

An 81-year-old woman presented with complaints of mechanical left hip pain since the beginning of 2006. In September 2006, radiographs (Figure 1A) demonstrated mild osteoarthritic changes. One year later, she reported progressive worsening of pain and disability, with no experience of intraarticular injection or recent infection or trauma. Examination revealed preservation of range of motion. In November 2007, new radiographs (Figure 1B) showed shaft bone destruction of the femoral head, associated with a “beheaded-like” appearance, a…