Abstract
AIM: To assess the role of ultrasound in management of patients with symptomatic total hip replacements (THR). MATERIALS AND METHOD: 26 patients with symptoms following THR (2–11 years post-surgery) were examined sonographically using a 5–6 MHz curvilinear transducer (Diasonics Prisma) over a 12 month period. Any fluid collection was aspirated for bacteriology and any soft tissue masses were core biopsied for histological assessment. Ultrasound appearances as well as transducer compression tenderness were noted. RESULTS: Ultrasound diagnoses included: wear debris granulomata, 14 (definite, 5; probable, 6; possible, 3); prosthetic infection, 3 (2 with sequestra at level of femoral component tip); trochanteric wire problems, 10 (granulation tissue formation, 3; bursa formation, 3; infection, 2; haematoma, 1; compression tenderness without focal ultrasound abnormality, 1); femoral shaft fracture, 1; greater trochanter fracture, 1; acetabular screw granulation tissue, 1; heterotopic ossification, 3; ?ceramic femoral head fracture, 1; normal study (but possible early loosening on X-ray), 3. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound is an extremely useful method of initial evaluation of symptomatic total hip replacements.
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