Aisha S., 19

Aisha is a 19-year-old young woman living with her parents and siblings in a polygamous family of 15. Her father is currently unemployed, her mother is a housewife. The family lives in a four-room clay house with a pit toilet and survives on about ₦5,000 monthly which her mother receives from the charity of family members. Aisha dreams of working in a hospital after graduation. Aisha has sickle cell disease and has experienced recurrent pain in both hips for two years, with the left worse than the right. Over the past three months, the pain became severe and significantly affected her daily activities. She developed a limp and hip deformity. Clinical and radiological assessment confirmed stage IV avascular necrosis of the hips. She was counselled for staged left total hip replacement, which is expected to relieve her pain, restore mobility, and help her lead a healthier, productive life.

Avascualar hip necrosis is a known complication in sickle cell disease patients.it is a common chronic complication arising from repeated obstruction in blood supply to the femoral head. if left untreated it ,prevents normal gait and renders the patient functionally handicapped. Most children drop out of school and over time suffer side effects of NSAID AND OPIODS usage. once operated ,the child becomes pain free and returns to school and other productive activities. the Prognosis is good. If left untreated, advanced avascular necrosis can cause worsening pain, permanent hip damage, severe difficulty walking, and loss of independence.