Presentation
Intense right hip pain four months post partum.
Patient Data
Radiograph of the pelvis - right hip
Osteoporosis of the superoexternal portion of the femoral head.
MRI pelvis
Bone marrow edema of the right femoral head and neck with soft tissue edema at the front of the joint.
There is a modest joint effusion.
Case Discussion
This pathology, also called algodystrophy syndrome, is characterized by disabling pain, joint stiffness, hyperalgesia, edema, skin changes, vasomotor and maculata osteoporosis. It usually appears after an injury, prolonged immobilization, heart attack, neoplasm, or post partum.
The pathogenesis is still subject to discussion, but the so-called "neurogenic inflammatory theory" has been proposed that defines the disease as an exaggerated regional phlogistic response determined by the direct sensitization of receptors involved in pain and inflammation.
Acknowledgment Dr.ssa Laura Braccaioli
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