[Total hip arthroplasty secondary to ocronotic arthropathy. A case report].

Introduction: alkaptonuria is a rare hereditary metabolic disorder which is characterized by deficiency of the enzyme homogentisate 1,2 dioxygenase, which is responsible for the oxidation and renal elimination of homogentisic acid (HGA), which causes its accumulation. The excessive accumulation of HGA results in ochronosis and ochronotic arthropathy, which mainly affects the thoracolumbar spine and the large joints, leading to the need for joint replacement seeking to improve function and quality of life.

Clinical Case: hereby is presented a 67-years-old female patient with history of alkaptonuria with diffuse painful right hip of 4 years of evolution. On physical examination, clinical manifestations were found consistent with ochronosis and ochronotic arthropathy. Imaging studies revealed loss of right hip joint space, osteophytes, and acetabular sclerosis.

Conclusions: joint hip replacement is an effective therapy in improving the quality of life with hip arthropathy secondary to alkaptonuria, despite this, the literature on long-term follow-up about this treatment needs to be enriched.