Total hip arthroplasty to treat congenital musculoskeletal abnormalities in the juvenile Down Syndrome hip: Review of literature with case

Down Syndrome can result in musculoskeletal abnormalities of the hip at an early age. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head can occur as a result of slipped capital femoral epiphysis causing the patient a great deal of pain, limiting the ability to ambulate. Despite the benefits that this patient group can receive from the surgery, surgeons may be apprehensive to operate. It is our experience that these patients benefit greatly from arthroplasty without complication. In this report, we present a total hip replacement to treat avascular necrosis in an adolescent and address the concerns that surgeons may have in treating this patient population.