After many months of pain, my 15 year old son has been diagnosed with protrusio asetabuli in both hips. The left hip is much worse than the right and it now seems that the cartilege in the left hip is gone.His doctor's have ruled out rheumatoid arthritis and are considering fusion of his left hip (to help the pain)until he stops growing. Then we may consider THR. Anyone familiar with this condition (protrusio)?

-- glenda penny (g1cent@aol.com), April 30, 2003

Answers

Fusion is a better option considering your son's age.

-- Timothy Johnson, M.D. (tjohns55@jhmi.edu), May 05, 2003.

I'm 26 years of age and also suffer from Protrusio Asetabuli in both hips. I only discoverred it two years ago. I also have secondary Osteo Arthritis. I live with the pain but I do use pills to prevent further damage. I also swim and cycle (in the gym). I have not heard alot of good things about fusion, afterall a joint was made to move. If a joint does not get any movement, it becomes stiff and may even increase pain. Thats just my thoughts.

Cheers Ian

-- Ian Van Rensburg (ivanrens@hotmail.com), October 08, 2003.

We should consider the possibility to redirect the forces of the femoral head into the acetabular cavity by performing a femoral osteotomy. Of course it will be possible only if the protrusio is not severe. Firstly, we need to quantify the protrusio.

-- Marco A. Teloken (mateloken@hotmail.com), October 14, 2003.