The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 23, Issue 7 , Pages 956-959, October 2008

Total Hip Arthroplasty in the Underweight

  • Daniel T. Alfonso, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Musculoskeletal Research Center, NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York
    • ,
  • R. Damani Howell, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Musculoskeletal Research Center, NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York
    • ,
  • Glinys Caceres, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Musculoskeletal Research Center, NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York
    • ,
  • Peter Kozlowski, BA

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Musculoskeletal Research Center, NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, New York
    • ,
  • Paul E. Di Cesare, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, U.C. Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Paul E. Di Cesare, MD, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UC Davis Medical Center, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3800, Sacramento, CA 95817.

Received 12 March 2007; accepted 6 September 2007. published online 29 February 2008.

Abstract 

The outcomes of 20 patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis with body mass index less than 18.5 (considered underweight) who received total hip arthroplasty at a single institution were reviewed. Surgical complications in the first 30 days after surgery included 1 prolonged surgical site drainage and 3 posterior dislocations. Two patients experienced medical complications that included hematemesis, confusion, aspiration pneumonia, and death. Sixty-five percent of the patients received at least one blood transfusion. Harris hip scores improved from 35 to 81 (P < .05) at an average of 6.1 years (2-10.1 years) of follow-up. Total hip arthroplasty is effective in patients who are underweight; however, they appear to be at an increased risk of dislocation and blood transfusion.

Key words: total hip arthroplasty, underweight, total joint arthroplasty

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 No benefits or funds were received in support of the study.

PII: S0883-5403(07)00546-3

doi:10.1016/j.arth.2007.09.008

The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 23, Issue 7 , Pages 956-959, October 2008

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