title: The management of an old fused hip after the occurrence of paraplegia.
abstract: Two patients are reported who suffered traumatic paraplegia, and had a long-standing fused hip joint. Both required an excision (Girdlestone) arthroplasty to allow them to sit and one, who made a late but substantial neurological recovery, eventually underwent a total hip replacement. Both suffered thromboembolic and urinary complications. These may not have occurred if the procedures had been carried out earlier. Early mobilisation of the hip joint is recommended in these circumstances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatic Surgery, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital of Sydney, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Henderson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001174:Arthrodesis; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000150:complications; D012086:Reoperation