Saving a disabled female patient due to systemic lupus erythematosus

17/05/2023 14:12

After having detected the systemic lupus erythematosus in 2019, a 40-year-old female patient resident in Hai Phong has been unable to walk for months, was not able even to sit in a wheelchair therefore she has to be moved on a stretcher bed.

Systemic lupus erythematosus occurs due to the “mistake” of the immune system, instead of fighting invading pathogens and protecting the body, the immune system thinks that the body’s cells are the “enemy” and back to attack the cells as well as organ systems of their own body.

Orthopedic surgeons at Viet Duc University Hospital have successfully performed total hip replacement on both sides for a 40-year-old female patient from Hai Phong who was disabled due to systemic lupus erythematosus.

Arthritis is very common in patients with lupus, manifested symptoms such as pain, swelling, inflammation, and limited range of motions . Ms. NTH has been detected systemic lupus erythematosus since 2019.

However, since last 4 months, she has experienced of pain in the hip joints on both sides. The symptoms were worsening, and Ms. H. has limited movement in both legs, her hips on both sides were inflamed and painful so the patient was not able to sit in a wheelchair and often moving on the stretcher.

Doctors thoroughly examined the patient and x ray results, and diagnosed her with ankylosing spondylitis and degenerative on hip. The patient underwent simultaneous total hip replacement surgery on both sides with a minimally invasive technique. The incision was only 4-5cm (small incision). Spinal anesthesia and epidural analgesia helped to reduce pain and the risk of infection, making post-operative care easier. The surgery was successful after 1 hour.

One day after surgery, the patient was able to sit up, after 2 days of surgery, the patient started walking early with the support of crutches/frames and was discharged after 1 week to continue her rehabilitation exercises.

According to Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Manh Khanh, MD, PhD – Deputy Director of Viet Duc University Hospital, this is a complex case because the patient was almost disabled when admitting to the hospital. She had difficulty in moving because she was not able to sit or lie down on a stretcher. Lupus erythematosus is a long-standing disease that begins to affect other organs, such as chronic anemia, pericardial effusion, poor bone quality due to osteoporosis, bilateral ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lower limb muscle atrophy, poor muscle strength…

Artificial hip replacement at the same time on both sides helps patients reduce the risk of affecting heart, lung, liver, and kidney function, helps early movement, shortens recovery time, and saves money. Cost savings for patients and health insurance funds.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease affecting more than 5 million people worldwide, with 16,000 new cases being detected yearly. This is a dangerous disease that significantly affects the quality of life, common in young women, and currently has no specific treatment.

Disease manifest in multiple organs, including arthralgia, arthritis, Raynaud’s syndrome, rash, pleurisy or pericarditis, kidney or central nervous system damage, and autologous blood cell deficiency exempt.