Complete destruction of both femoral heads following idiopathic necrosis of the femoral heads in a diabetic patient with hyperuricemia and hyperlipoproteinemia.

A practically complete destruction of both femoral heads including the femoral necks and acetabula was encountered in a 69-year-old patient with diabetes, which varied in intensity. This destruction, documented by radiographs which had been taken 8 years prior, had started as the typical picture of "idiopathic femoral head necrosis". In addition to diabetes, hyperuricemia and hyperlipoproteinemia were present at the time when the femoral head necrosis was first evidenced. One episode of gout was recorded. In recent years, following therapy, the hyperurecemia and hyperlipoproteinemia had normalized. The question is raised, as to whether or not the present radiological findings represent a complication of aseptic femoral head necrosis, combined with a diabetic arthropathy of the hip joints. Details of the angiographic findings and a spondylopathy, which have all the characteristics of a neuropathic spondylopathy, would favor this hypothesis. When associated with a diabetic condition, generalized osteoporosis and hypertrophic spondylosis of such a particular nature require special mention.