Total hip replacement for an ochronotic patient: A technical trick

PATIENT Male, 46 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Akkaptonuria Symptoms: Hip pain Medication: - Clinical Procedure: Total hip replacement Specialty: Orthopedics and Traumatology. OBJECTIVE Unusual or unexpected effect of treatment. BACKGROUND Ochronosis is an inherited metabolic disease in which there is an accumulation of excessive amounts of homogentisic acid in the connective tissue. As the disease progresses, the chronic inflammation in the damaged tissue can cause degeneration and osteoarthritis. There is no specific treatment for ochronosis because it is a rare disease and arthroplasty is seldom performed. CASE REPORT We report the case of a 46-year-old male patient with ochronosis, who underwent an arthroplasty of the right hip due to osteoarthritis. The problems encountered during surgery are reported and discussed. CONCLUSIONS Arthroplasty is a highly effective procedure for ochronotic patients. Particular attention to the surgical step is highly advised.