DESTRUCTIVE ARTHRITIS OF THE HIP IN A PATIENT WITH CROHNS-DISEASE

Objective. Isolated destructive peripheral arthropathy is a rare compl ication of Crohn's disease. We describe the clinical course and radiog raphic findings of such a case. Clinical Features: A 28-yr-old male pr esented to our chiropractic clinic with chronic left hip pain. The pat ient was known to have Crohn's disease. Five years earlier the gastroi ntestinal symptoms resolved with a brief course of prednisone. However , the left hip pain continued. A radiograph of the left hip was read a s normal. Repeat radiograph, 2 yr later, revealed destructive changes of the left hip and, in retrospect, early destructive changes could be seen on the initial radiograph. Intervention and Outcome: The diagnos is, in this case, was destructive arthritis of the left hip secondary to Crohn's disease. The treatment selected in this case was observatio n and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. Conclusion: This diagno sis, a relatively rare complication of Crohn's disease, should be cons idered in a young adult patient with Crohn's disease and persistent pe ripheral joint pain.