Total hip arthroplasty in patients who have sickle-cell hemoglobinopathy.

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.