Staged Total Hip Arthroplasty for Septic Hip Following Core Decompression in Sickle Cell-Related Osteonecrosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

TL;DR

A young sickle cell patient needed hip replacement after developing joint infection following a core decompression surgery.

Contribution

This case report highlights the rare combination of avascular necrosis and septic arthritis in sickle cell disease and the use of staged hip arthroplasty.

Findings

A 24-year-old sickle cell patient developed septic arthritis after core decompression of the femoral head.

Staged total hip arthroplasty was required to manage the infection and joint destruction.

The case underscores the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in SCD-related osteonecrosis with superimposed infection.

Abstract

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a well-recognized musculoskeletal complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) that frequently results in early joint destruction and functional disability in young patients. The coexistence of avascular necrosis and septic arthritis in SCD patients is uncommon and presents significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We report the case of a 24-year-old male patient with sickle cell disease who developed septic arthritis of the hip following femoral head core decompression, ultimately requiring staged total hip arthroplasty.

Figures