case report patient radiation damaged pelvis causes total hip replacement failure due to

by Mr. Zack Heidenreich 6 min read

Pelvic irradiation does not increase the risk of hip …

34 hours ago  · Pelvic irradiation can cause bone damage in these long-term survivors, with increased risk of fracture and degeneration of the hip. ... We wanted to examine the risk of receiving a total hip replacement in patients with cancer in the pelvic area who had undergone radiotherapy compared to patients with cancer at another location who had not ... >> Go To The Portal


This case report describe severe osteonecrosis of the pelvis more than 30 years after radiation due to ovarian cancer. As orthopedic surgeon it is important to ask about previous radiation to the pelvis in case of total hip arthroplasty and also to perform CT in unclear cases. Severe rapid destruction of the caput femoris and acetabular fracture.

Full Answer

What has your experience been with hip pain after pelvic radiation?

My experience has been with limited flexibility and tightness in my hips. I have no problem running, but abduction/adduction of hips is limited. Hip issues seem to be common after pelvic radiation, so we are not alone.

Does radiation therapy increase the risk of hip fractures?

No increased risk of hip fractures was found. Hip osteoarthritis was the only event for which a statistically significant difference was found between the irradiated cohort and the controls (cause-specific hazard ratio: 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.26; P = .02).

What is the pathophysiology of pelvic radiation disease?

The molecular and physiologic mechanisms leading to pelvic radiation disease are complex, and symptoms related to gastrointestinal and urinary tract dysfunction can be diverse, frequently arising from separate lesions within different parts of the GI tract.

What is the hazard ratio for osteoarthritis caused by irradiated hips?

Hip osteoarthritis was the only event for which a statistically significant difference was found between the irradiated cohort and the controls (cause-specific hazard ratio: 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.26; P = .02).

What causes the failure of total hip replacement?

Patient-related factors leading to the failure of total hip arthroplasty include co-morbidities such as sickle cell anaemia [14], poor bone quality [15], or other variables that may predispose the patient to infections or dislocation. Surgical technique may also affect the outcome of total hip arthroplasty.

Can radiation cause hip problems?

Radiotherapy for cancer in the pelvic area can sometimes lead to hip and pelvic bone problems later in life. Radiotherapy can damage bones in different ways. Problems after pelvic radiotherapy may include weaker bones and tiny cracks in the bones.

How does radiation cause avascular necrosis?

Fractures due to normal stresses on weakened bone due to radiotherapy are termed insufficiency fractures. Pelvic radiotherapy-related interruption of the blood supply to the hip is termed avascular necrosis and is another recognised complication.

Can pelvic radiation cause hip pain?

Pelvic radiotherapy can affect the bones in your pelvis, lower back and hips. It may cause tiny cracks in these bones. These are sometimes called pelvic insufficiency fractures. They don't always cause symptoms, but in some cases will cause pain or changes to mobility.

Does radiation cause bone damage?

Exposure to chemotherapy and radiation leads to bone loss and increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

What are the side effects of radiation to the pelvis?

6 side effects of radiation therapy to the pelvis in womenDiarrhea. Many patients develop diarrhea during radiation therapy. ... Bladder and vaginal irritation. The inside lining of the bladder sometimes becomes irritated during radiation. ... Yeast infections. ... Infertility. ... Sexual side effects. ... Fatigue.

What causes osteonecrosis of the hip?

What causes osteonecrosis? Osteonecrosis of the hip develops when the blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted. Without adequate nourishment, the bone in the head of the femur dies and gradually collapses. As a result, the articular cartilage covering the hip bones also collapses, leading to disabling arthritis.

What are the 4 stages of avascular necrosis?

Stage 1 has a normal x-rays but MRI reveals the dead bone. Stage 2 can be seen on regular x-ray but there is no collapse of the femoral ball. Stage 3 shows signs of collapse (called a crescent sign) on x-ray. Stage 4 has collapse on x-ray and signs of cartilage damage (osteoarthritis).

What causes avascular necrosis hip?

Avascular necrosis is a painful bone condition that gets worse over time and can affect your mobility. It occurs when something cuts off blood flow to one of your bones. Causes include broken bones, dislocated hips, radiation therapy and alcohol misuse.

Can pelvic radiation cause nerve damage?

About nerve damage Pelvic radiotherapy uses radiation to destroy cancer cells in that part of the body. It may also damage healthy cells and tissues in that area. As this heals, it can cause swelling and pain (inflammation), which can damage nearby nerves.

Can radiation therapy cause joint pain?

Radiation therapy: Radiation can cause scar tissue, nerve damage and weakness and spur pre-existing chronic pain syndromes, such as rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.

What is radiation osteitis?

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) refers to a severe delayed radiation-induced injury and is characterized by bone tissue necrosis and failure in healing. There is some overlap with the term radiation osteitis.

What is hip replacement?

Hip replacement, also called total hip arthroplasty is surgery to replace a worn-out or damaged hip joint with an artificial joint called a prosthesis. Once the injured joint is surgically removed the prosthesis is cemented into the thigh bone and pelvis. Prosthesis composites include metal, ceramic and hard plastic.

Why does my hip hurt after hip replacement?

There are many causes of hip pain after replacement. The most common include infection, loose prosthesis, tendonitis, hip replacement failure, dislocation, metal ions, prosthesis fracture, and the wrong diagnosis. Other causes of hip pain include spinal disorders, nerve disorders, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. If your hip replacement surgery has been canceled due to COVID-19 please take this time to better understand your hip pain, its sources and possible treatment options that are not complicated by infection, toxic metal ions, fracture, dislocation, and limited longevity requiring additional surgery. PRP and bone marrow concentrate injections are effective, non-surgical treatment options for your ongoing hip pain. Don’t be sidelined by your hip pain. Call us to better understand your options.

What is dislocation in prosthetics?

A dislocation is an injury where the ball portion of the prosthesis is forced out of the socket. The result is pain and limited function. The true incidence ranges from 0.3 – 3% and is dependent upon surgical, patient and implant factors (6).

What causes a prosthesis to loosen?

The main mechanism for loosening is thought to be wear particles from the prosthesis itself which in turn triggers an inflammatory reaction. Wear particles are microscopic fragments from the prosthesis. Over time the inflammatory response eats away the bone surrounding the prosthesis causing loosening (4).

What is the pain of a hip prosthesis?

Pain is the prominent symptom and prompt evaluation is important since a loose prosthesis can rub on the hip socket potentially causing additional bone loss and making future surgical repairs more difficult. 3. Tendonitis. Tendons are the thick bands of connective tissue that connect muscle to bones.

Why do prosthesis fractures hurt?

The most common causes for prosthesis fracture include increasing patient longevity and increased levels of activity. Fractures are associated with poor clinical outcomes and high mortality rate (7). 8. The Wrong Diagnosis.

What causes hip pain?

Spinal Disorder Disc injuries, disc herniations, disc slippage and narrowing of the canal (stenosis) can all cause hip pain. Nerve Disorders – Nerve irritation or compression can be a source of hip pain and should always be evaluated.

What are the client deficits for hip replacement surgery?

Client deficits: back pain, leg pain that reduces ability to walk and sit for reasonable periods of time, hypertension and high cholesterol. This patient is an ideal candidate for total hip replacement surgery.

Why is pain important in hip replacement?

This goal was selected because pain plays a significant role in the rehabilitation of people who have total hip replacement, and their ability to recover; if their pain level is too great, they will be unable to engage in the physical and occupational exercises that will restore them to health.