Functional outcome of total hip arthroplasty in tubercular hip arthritis: A prospective study

Abstract

BackgroundTotal hip arthroplasty (THA) is a well-established procedure to cure tubercular hip arthritis in patients with healed tuberculosis while its role in active tuberculosis is still debatable. The aim of the study is to investigate the functional outcomes of THA in active tuberculosis with advanced hip arthritis. The reactivation of tuberculosis and complications postoperatively has also been assessed. Materials and methodsThe current open-ended prospective cohort study was carried out at a tertiary center from 2018 to 2020. Twenty patients of active tubercular hip arthritis (8 females and 12 males) were taken with a follow-up period ranging from 1 year to 3 years, with a mean of 14 months.Biochemical investigations were done both preoperatively and postoperatively. Preoperative anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) regimen was administered, as per standard norms, to patients for a minimum period of 6 weeks, and postoperatively for 6 months–12 months. Postero-lateral and Hardinge approaches were employed in all cases. Clinical and radiological parameters were assessed and functional outcomes were evaluated using the Harris Hip score (HHS). ResultsThe mean age of patients was 37.6 ± 11.38 years. Biochemical parameters were also found to improve postoperatively (p < 0.0001). The mean flexion, extension, abduction, external and internal rotation were found to increase postoperatively (p < 0.001). The mean flexion deformity in the preoperative period was 12.35 ± 4.716, whereas none of the patients had flexion deformities post operatively. The mean shortening was 2.12 ± 0.60 and 1 ± 0 at preoperative and postoperative respectively. The Total hip arthroplasty implant was found stable in all patients. The mean Harris score increased subsequently throughout the follow-up interval and differences were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). None of the patients had reactivation of tuberculosis infection postoperatively. ConclusionTotal hip arthroplasty is a reliable option to treat active advanced tubercular hip arthritis and gives good functional outcome with proper preoperative and postoperative ATT regimen.