Late sequelae of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis of the hip: a follow-up study into adulthood.

A 4-13 year follow up study of 29 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis into adulthood revealed several structural deformities of the hips: coxa magna, short femoral neck, subluxations associated with large cyst-like erosions of femur and acetabulum near the ligamentum teres and a flattened, wide femoral head (without steroid treatment). The deformities evoke the possibility of ischemia of the femoral head in the presence of active, compressive synovial proliferation during the growth period in a joint with largely intra-articular nutrient vessels.