[Possibility of sonographic early diagnosis of heterotopic ossifications after total hip-replacement]. / Ist eine perioperative sonographische Frühdiagnostik heterotoper Ossifikationen nach Alloarthroplastik des Hüftgelenks möglich?

AIM: The sonographic early diagnosis of heterotopic ossifications after total hip replacement. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 53 patients were sonographically and radiologically examined after a total hip-replacement. RESULTS. In the sonographic exam,positive findings were shown in 49.1% (n=26) one week, 66% (n=35) three weeks,73.6% (n=39) six weeks and 77.3% (n=41) twelve weeks after surgery. 88.5% of patients showing positive results in the sonographic exam carried out one week after surgery, later on showed positive x-ray findings (p<0.001). Of the three-week positive x-ray findings (n=19), 78.9% had condensations in the sonographic exam (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sonographic imaging after hip-replacement seems to be a sensitive and specific method which allows an early diagnosis of ossifications one week after surgery in 2/3 of patients. In this context a therapy concept which helps avoiding the development ossifications would be welcome.