The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 65, Issue 9 1266-1275, Copyright © 1983 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Idiopathic chondrolysis of the hip
EE Bleck
The cases of nine patients (eleven hips) with idiopathic chondrolysis of
the hip were studied. Seven of the patients were white and two were
Hispanic. The age at onset ranged from eight to sixteen years (mean, 11.5
years). Four patients were boys and five were girls. All patients had a
decreased passive range of motion of the hip, and radiographic examination
showed regional osteoporosis, premature closure of the femoral capital
physis, narrowing of the joint space, and lateral overgrowth of the femoral
head on the neck. All laboratory examinations were negative for evidence of
infection or rheumatoid arthritis. An arthrotomy was done in seven
patients. Specimens of the synovial tissue showed no growth on culture, and
the histological studies revealed only minimum signs of inflammation.
Histological studies of the articular cartilage were normal. Treatment
consisted of administration of acetylsalicylic acid in therapeutic dosages
to maintain a blood salicylate level of fifteen to twenty-five milligrams
per cent, active non-loading exercise of the hip, protected weight-bearing
with crutches, short-term traction to overcome or relieve contractures
after biopsy, iliopsoas tenotomy or lengthening in three patients, and an
adductor myotomy in one patient. At follow-up, 2.3 to 9.4 years after onset
(mean, 6.2 years), six patients had either no symptoms or only minor
intermittent discomfort in the hip. On radiographic examination, although
these six patients had restoration of the joint space they did have lateral
overgrowth of the femoral head (lateral buttressing) and overgrowth of the
lateral acetabular margin (lateral osteophyte). In three patients who had
disabling pain, joint deterioration was evident on the radiographic
examination. One of these patients had a resurfacing arthroplasty to
relieve pain.