Midterm Results of Total Hip Arthroplasty for Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients in South Korea

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported that osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is more prevalent in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is considered reasonable management of ONFH. However, only scarce data exist on the outcomes of THA for HIV-infected patients in South Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the midterm results of HIV-positive patients who underwent THA for ONFH. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of HIV-infected patients with ONFH who underwent THA in our institution from 2005 to 2021. Twenty-two hips in 15 patients underwent THAs with cementless implants. The clinical and radiographic evaluation was performed at each follow-up, and any complication was recorded. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 5.2 years (range, 1.0–16.0 years). The mean age of the HIV infected patients with osteonecrosis at the time of surgery was 44.7 ± 11.6 years. ONFH occurred 9.8 ± 3.7 years after the initial diagnosis of HIV infection. The average modified Harris hip score improved from 58.3 ± 14.8 to 95.2 ± 11.3 at the latest follow-up. Surgical complications such as infection, nerve injury, or dislocation were not present. The radiographic evidence of stable fixation by bone ingrowth without migration was seen in all implants. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that THA is a safe and valid option of treatment for ONFH in well-controlled HIV-infected patients in Korea. Further large-scale nationwide studies are warranted.