Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty for Gunshot Injury-Induced Secondary Arthritis of the Hip: What Are the Outcomes?

Gunshot wound (GSW) injuries around the hip joint can lead to debilitating post-traumatic arthritis, requiring a technically demanding primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). These surgeries are often complicated by bullet debris, extensive scaring, prior operations, and altered local anatomy. Although most literature focuses on acute management of GSW around the hip, a few reports detail the mid-term outcomes of GSW patients with primary THA for post-traumatic arthritis. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes and complications associated with THA in nine patients with secondary arthritis due to prior GSW injuries. At a mean follow-up of 35 months (range 12–60 months), significant improvement was shown in hip function, activity, and pain levels, and was similar to the outcomes of 18 patients who underwent primary THA for degenerative joint disease. While technically demanding, THA seems to reduce pain and improve function safely and effectively for patients with GSW-induced hip arthritis.