Total Hip Arthroplasty for Ankylosis Requiring Rotational Rectus Femoris Flap and Skin Graft for Wound Closure

We present a case report of a 51-year-old Ghanaian immigrant who underwent total hip arthroplasty in the setting of spontaneous ankylosis of unknown etiology. The increase in offset of the patient's limb through reconstruction, in combination with severe soft-tissue atrophy of the lower extremity, resulted in a soft-tissue defect that could not be closed primarily. This ultimately required a rectus femoris rotational flap and skin grafting for coverage. We describe the surgical technique used for conversion of an ankylosed hip to total hip arthroplasty, as well as the technique for management of a large proximal thigh soft-tissue defect with rectus femoris muscle flap coverage.