Objective: To explore the effectiveness of multiple joint arthroplasty in treating lower limb joint disease.
Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2007, 5 patients with lower limb joint disease (three or more joints were involved) were treated with total hip and knee arthroplasty. There were 3 males and 2 females, aged from 27 to 59 years (mean, 41.8 years). Two patients had ankylosing spondylitis and 3 had rheumatoid arthritis, whose hip and knee joints were involved. Four patients lost the ability of walking preoperatively, 1 patient could only walk with crutch. The Harris score was 24 +/- 24 and the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was 28 +/- 15. All patients underwent multiple joint arthroplasty simultaneously (2 cases) or multiple-stage (3 cases).
Results: Wounds healed by first intention in all patients. In 1 patient who had dislocation of the hip after operation, manipulative reduction and immobilization with skin traction were given for 3 weeks, and no dislocation occurred; in 2 patients who had early sign of anemia, blood transfusion was given. All patients were followed up 46-140 months with an average of 75 months. The patients could walk normally, and had no difficulty in upstairs and downstairs. The stability of the hip and knee was good, and no joint infection or loosening occurred. The Harris score was 88 +/- 6 at last follow-up, showing significant difference when compared with the preoperative score (t = 8.16, P = 0.00); the HSS score was 86 +/- 6, showing significant difference when compared with the preoperative score (t = 13.96, P = 0.00).
Conclusion: Multiple joint arthroplasty is an effective treatment method in patients with lower limb joint disease, which can significantly improve life quality of patients.