Ipsilateral hip and knee replacements as a single surgical procedure.

A total of thirteen surgical procedures were performed on eight patients, all of whom had a history of rheumatoid arthritis. Five patients had bilateral hip and knee replacements and three patients had ipsilateral hip and knee replacements for a total of twenty-six joint replacements. Ambulatory status for all patients was significantly improved and all patients subjectively reported a great reduction in pain postoperatively. Complications included two transient peroneal-nerve palsies in the same patient from which she recovered spontaneously, and one questionable pulmonary embolus which resolved with heparin therapy. The relative advantages of this type of procedure and the indications for and against surgery are discussed.