Total joint arthroplasty in orthotopic liver transplant recipients

Eight total hip and two total knee arthroplasties were performed from 1986 to 1991 in eight patients who had orthotopic liver transplantation. The indications for joint arthroplasty were avascular necrosis of the femoral head in five hips, pathologic femoral neck fracture caused by osteopenia in three hips, avascular necrosis of femoral and tibial condyles in one knee, and posttraumatic arthritis in one knee. Six patients (75%) had significant osteopenia. The mean interval between liver transplantation surgery and hip or knee joint arthroplasty was 2 years (8–48 months). The patients who had hip arthroplasty were followed for a mean of 4.85 years (2–8 years), and those who had a knee arthroplasty after a hip arthroplasty, for a mean of 3.5 years (2–5 years) after the knee arthroplasty. In the patients who had hip arthroplasty, the mean Harris hip score was improved from 34 to 82 points. In the two patients who had a knee arthroplasty, the mean score was improved to 100 points both for pain and function of the knee and for overall function from mean preoperative knee scores of 49 and 25 points, respectively. Radiographs did not reveal any loosening of the components. None of the patients required reoperation, and there were no serious postoperative complications.