Pregnancy and childbirth after total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

We surveyed 343 young women with 420 total hip arthroplasties (THAs) regarding pregnancy and childbirth after THA. The mean age at surgery was 35 years (18 to 45). The mean length of follow-up after the initial arthroplasty was 16 years (6 to 27). Of these 343 women, 47 (13.7%) had a successful pregnancy after their primary THA. The first baby after a THA was delivered vaginally in 30 patients and by Caesarean section in 17. Of the 343 patients, 138 underwent a revision. For the entire series, the risk of revision at five years was 5%, at ten years 24%, and at 20 years 50%. After adjusting for age at surgical intervention, the risk of revision was not significantly associated with childbirth. Of the 47 patients who had a successful pregnancy, 28 (60%) noted an increase in pain in the hip during pregnancy and ten of these patients had persistent pain after their pregnancy. Seven patients complained of pain in the groin in the replaced hip after childbirth. At the time of this survey, five of these patients (70%) had had revision THA. Childbirth is not affected by the presence of a THA. Pregnancy after THA is not associated with decreased survival of the prosthesis. Pain in the hip is common during pregnancy in these patients. Pain in the groin which persists after delivery commonly leads to revision of the THA.