First experience with a thermal-sprayed silver oxide-containing hydroxyapatite coating implant in two-stage total hip arthroplasty for the treatment of septic arthritis with hip osteoarthritis: a case report

INTRODUCTION Septic arthritis of the hip joint in adults is a rare and potentially devasting disease. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no reports of two-stage total hip arthroplasty (THA) for the treatment of septic arthritis of the hip joint with a cementless hip implant that has antibacterial properties. PRESENTATION OF CASE We present a case of two-stage THA with a thermal-sprayed silver oxide-containing hydroxyapatite coating (Ag-HA) implant to treat septic arthritis of the hip joint with hip osteoarthritis in an 80-year-old woman. There was no complication or recurrence at 28 months follow-up after 2nd-stage operation. DISCUSSION Ag-HA implants were found to have antibacterial activity within the subcutaneous tissues and bone, osteoconductive properties, and no adverse reactions in vivo. Moreover, no adverse events due to silver were reported in a clinical or radiographic study. CONCLUSION To further reduce infection after two-staged THA for septic arthritis of the hip joint, antibacterial implants, such as an Ag-HA implant, may be used.