Medical and surgical treatment of the septic hip with one-stage revision arthroplasty.

Sepsis of the hip, particularly associated with total hip arthroplasty, can be treated successfully by an aggressive antimicrobial and surgical approach to accomplish a one-stage revision. Although this is a very acceptable alternative to Girdlestone arthroplasty, 13% (6 hips) of the septic total hip revisions failed. The possibility of hematogenous seeding of the total hip should be recognized by all health care professionals. Aggressive treatment of infections or potential infections is mandatory.