Eleven patients who had a form of sickle-cell hemoglobinopathy had a
total hip arthroplasty for avascular necrosis of the hip. Four patients had
a revision and three had a resection arthroplasty. Four had a serious
infection postoperatively. Both acute and late complications were numerous.
We concluded that patients who have a sickle-cell hemoglobinopathy are at
markedly increased risk for complications after total hip replacement
arthroplasty, yet that over-all the results are favorable.