Abstract
Aims: The study was carried out to describe the long-term development of relevant clinical parameters after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: Primary and follow-up data from 26‘019 THA from 9‘801 men and 11‘144 women were monitored across a postoperative period of 15 years. The population was described as one group and according to Charnley. Results: Patients experienced significant pain relief and major improvements in mobility and hip motion. The 5% of patients with preoperatively no or mild hip pain grew to 90–95% postoperatively and was 85% 15 years later. The 8% patients with a preoperatively free walking time greater 30 min. increased to 60% postoperatively. 15 years after the THA 60% managed free walking times up to 30 minutes. A hip flexion greater 90 degrees was preoperatively possible for 22% of the patients, postoperatively for 78%. Up to 94% judged the outcome as excellent or good after one year and 84% after fifteen years. The prevalence of radiographically loose stems increased from 0.87% to 14.44% 14 years postoperatively. Simultaneously, the prevalence of radiographically loose cups increased from 0.8% to 16.67%. Conclusions: A THA delivers significant gain in mobility, hip motion and pain relief and a high number of satisfied patients. A constant deterioration of abilities and satisfaction could be observed beginning three to five years after the primary operation. However, 15 years postoperatively, these abilities were still superior to the preoperative levels. A steady increase in radiographically loose components was noted. It took patients three to five years to reach their maximum outcome.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
