BILATERAL TOTAL HIP-ARTHROPLASTY IN ALBERS-SCHONBERGS-DISEASE

Purpose of the study The authors report an original case of Albers-Sch onberg's disease and describe its surgical treatment. Material Compari son between roentgenogram of the pelvis at the age of 9 and 46 years s howed the original evolution of coxa vara in a case of osteopetrosis. A 46 year old male had severe pain and instability in both hips relate d to numerous problems consisting of: 1) on the right side: subtrochan teric femoral non-union after repeated fractures, head and neck femora l disappearance associated to dislocation. 2) on the left side: acetab ular dysplasia, osteoarthritis and subtrochanteric femoral fracture th at had fusionned. Total hip arthroplasty was performed on both hips. R esult Clinical result was good in both hips (PMA score = 6-6-4) at the latest follow-up (four years on the left side and three years and fou r months on the right side). The surgical procedures were difficult be cause of the hardness and brittle character of the bony substance and because of non unions and deformities. Special care was required to av oid shattering femoral diaphysis and false routes during creation of a new medullary canal. Conclusion Total hip prosthesis represents a fun ctionnal salvage procedure in patients with Albers-Schonberg's disease .