TOTAL HIP-ARTHROPLASTY COMPLICATED BY TUBERCULOUS INFECTION

The case of a 66-year-old woman with tuberculous infection complicatin g a total hip arthroplasty that had been performed 4 years previously for degenerative arthritis is reported. The patient had no prior histo ry of exposure to tuberculosis and no evidence of skeletal or nonskele tal tuberculous infection. The need for a high index of suspicion when dealing with unexpected arthroplasty failure is emphasized. Tuberculo us cultures are recommended in these cases prior to revision surgery.