RAPIDLY DESTRUCTIVE HIP DISEASE

Rapidly destructive hip disease includes rapid forms of infectious and inflammatory arthritis, tabetic hip degeneration, arthropathies assoc iated with articular chondrocalcinosis, ochronosis, haemochromatosis a nd haemodialysis, and rapidly destructive osteoarthritis of the hip, f irst described in France in 1970. It is defined by progressive narrowi ng of the joint space by at least 2 mm per year (0.80 to 2 mm for the semirapid form), while common osteoarthritis only loses 0 to 0.80 mm p er year (mean : 0.22 mm/year). Chrondrolysis leads to an erosion abrad ing subchondral bone. Painful disability is generally more severe than in common osteoarthritis. Passive range of movement is fairly well co nserved for a long time. Risk factors are advanced age, excess weight, and excessive locomotor activity (about 50 % of cases). Treatment con sists of total hip replacement.