Aseptic Loosening after Total Hip Arthroplasty in an Acromegalic Patient: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION

Acromegaly is a rare disorder characterized by excess secretion of growth hormone and its principle mediator, insulin-like growth factor-1. Although acromegaly is frequently associated with osteoarthritis, the outcome of arthroplasty in this population is not documented.

CASE REPORT

We report here a case of aseptic loosening of an uncemented total hip arthroplasty acetabulum in an acromegalic patient that was revised with a cemented cup. It has been suggested that the incidence of this complication is increased in other pathology with a similarly high bone-turnover (e.g., Paget's disease), but this complication has however not yet been reported in the setting of acromegaly.

CONCLUSION

Although coincidence cannot be ruled out, multiple metabolic hypotheses could account for an altered osseointegration process in the presence of acromegaly, which could lead to a higher risk of loosening.