Total Hip Arthroplasty in Young Adults with Stickler Connective Tissue Disorder: Review of Literature and Case

Abstract

Connective tissue disorders such as Stickler syndrome cause the premature development of musculoskeletal diseaseresembling spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, in some cases requiring surgical intervention for premature developmentof osteoarthritis. Total hip arthroplasty is a routine procedure regarded as highly successful in maintaining mobilityin elderly patients. When hip replacement is required in the young, unique challenges are presented to the surgeonincluding efforts to maximize the life of the first prosthesis while also considering that multiple revisions will likelybe necessary. A 17 year old male patient presented with a connective tissue disorder, exhibiting symptoms of Sticklersyndrome. The patient suffered from acute episodes of pain and dysfunction including mechanical clicking andoccasional locking, originally seeking orthopaedic assessment at 14 years old. Total hip arthroplasty was performedafter the patient‘s femoral growth plate had fused radiologically and is presented as an option to treat the multifacetedabnormal hip joint caused by Sticklers syndrome. In this way, hip mobility and functionality can be vastlyimproved in young adults with debilitating congenital connective tissue disorders.