Total Hip Arthroplasty in Adolescents and Young Adults for Management of Advanced Corticosteroid-Induced Osteonecrosis Secondary to Treatment for Hematologic Malignancies

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a potentially severe toxicity associated with glucocorticoid treatment for pediatric hematologic malignancy. We examined clinical outcomes of THA in adolescents and young adults treated for hematologic malignancies who developed advanced ONFH.

In a single-institution cohort, we retrospectively reviewed medical records and imaging for perioperative complications, reoperations, functional assessment at last follow-up, and radiological outcomes. Twenty-seven patients (41 hips) underwent THA (bilateral in 14 patients). There were 11 males. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) age at primary diagnosis was 14.9 years [1.8-18.9]. The median (IQR) age at THA was 19.8 years [14.6-30.3]. Mean (range) post-THA follow-up was 111.5 months (65.4-165.8).

Perioperative complications included one intraoperative calcar fracture that was secured with a cerclage wire and one posterior hip dislocation that occurred 6 days postoperatively, requiring closed reduction. One hip required a revision 21.1 months post-THA due to a fractured ceramic liner. The radiographic review was available for 38 of 41 hips and demonstrated none with loosening, subsidence, or osteolysis; nine developed periacetabular stress shielding. Incidence of stress shielding was associated with increased postoperative pain (P = .0130). There was a significant functional improvement in range of motion (ROM), pain, use of supports, participation in school, work, and sports, and use of pain medication from preoperative to postoperative clinical visits (P < .001).

Total hip arthroplasty in adolescents and young adults offers symptomatic and functional improvement in patients with ONFH. We found it to be safe with low perioperative complication rates even in patients undergoing active treatment for malignancy.

Level IV, case series study. See Instructions for authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.