Postsurgical Transient Hypertrichosis Around Healing Wound After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

Hypertrichosis is a condition characterized by the presence of an abnormal increase in the number of hairs and either occurs in a localized pattern or a generalized pattern. Localized hypertrichosis around a healing wound is an infrequent postsurgical complication. A 60-year-old Asian man came for a consultation because of an increase in the amount of hair around his 2-month postsurgical wound of right knee arthroplasty. Neither history of topical medications nor systemic medications, which can cause hypertrichosis, were presented. A diagnosis of postsurgical hypertrichosis was made clinically without any laboratory investigations. The patient was reassured that the medication was not necessary and he was appointed for follow-ups. Within the next 4 months, the hypertrichosis resolved spontaneously without any treatment. The case demonstrates the correlation between wound healing and hair morphogenesis, especially as both processes involve some similar growth factors and signaling molecules. Further studies might lead to discovery and better management of hair disorders.