Persistent pain following total hip replacement

Purpose To evaluate the different causes of painful hip following total hip replacement. Material and method The varied range of cases seen in the two hospitals. Result There are myriad of causes of hip pain following total hip replacement. The most important causes are related to the total hip replacement, namely, loosening and infection. But, there are other aetiologies, which are either coincidental or may be the original cause of the hip pain. These include trochanteric bursitis, pubic fracture, degenerative diseases of the lower lumbar spine or metastases. Plain films may be inconsistent in demonstrating these abnormalities. Bone scintigraphy is usually done and would readily demonstrate abnormal uptake. Conclusion Various causes of persistent painful hip following total hip replacement seen on bone scintigraphy are presented.