An Unusual Case of Bilateral Ochronotic Arthropathy of the Hip Successfully Managed by a Staged Bilateral Total Hip Replacement- An Insight with a Surgical Note

J Orthop Case Rep. 2018 Jul-Aug;8(4):11-14. doi: 10.13107/jocr.2250-0685.1136.

Abstract

Introduction: Ochronosis is an inherited metabolic disease that causes a brownish-black pigmentation of the connective tissue. There is currently no specific treatment for ochronosis. The goal of treatment is to control the progress of disease with a multidisciplinary approach and symptomatic relief. Arthroplasty in ochronotic arthropathy patients has shown good to excellent results comparable to arthroplasty performed in patients with degenerative osteoarthritis.

Case report: We report an unusual case of a 69-year-old female who suffered advanced degenerative arthropathy secondary to ochronosis. A staged bilateral total hip arthroplasty was performed on her successfully using a Corail metal on poly total hip prosthesis 9months apart.

Conclusion: Ochronoticarthropathy produces degenerative arthritis of large joints in middle-aged patients. In many cases, the patient does not know the disease until the diagnosis of intraoperative suspicion. There is no definitive treatment. After conservative management, joint replacement surgery offers the best symptomatic treatment.

Keywords: Ochronosis; bilateral hip arthritis; ochronoticarthropathy; total hip replacement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports