[Total hip arthroplasty for the treatment of bony ankylosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of total hip arthroplasty for the treatment of bony ankylosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

METHODS: From January 2008 to January 2012, 12 patients (24 hips) with ankylosing spondylitis combined with hip ankylosis were treated with total hip arthroplasty, including 11 males and 1 females, ranging in age from 27 to 62 years old. The course of diseases ranged from 5 to 32 years old. Preoperative and postoperative hip mobility and Harris function score, intraoperative and postoperative complications were analyzed.

RESULTS: All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 60 to 96 months, with an average of 72.6 months. The Harris hip scores of all patients were improved. Three patients got an excellent result, 6 good and 3 fair. One case had heterotopic ossification of Brooker I without clinical symptoms. One patient with severe flexion deformity underwent femoral nerve traction injury after operation, and recovered after 1 year of follow-up. No prosthesis subsidence or cup loosening, no joint dislocation, acute infection or deep venous thrombosis occurred during the latest follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Total hip arthroplasty is an effective method for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis with hip ankylosis at the advanced stage.