In this study we evaluated whether pre-operative
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis
scores can predict satisfaction following total hip arthroplasty
(THA). Prospective data for a cohort of patients undergoing THA
from two large academic centres were collected, and pre-operative
and one-year post-operative WOMAC scores and a 25-point satisfaction
questionnaire were obtained for 446 patients. Satisfaction scores
were dichotomised into either improvement or deterioration. Scatter
plots and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were used to describe
the association between pre-operative WOMAC and one-year post-operative WOMAC
scores and patient satisfaction. Satisfaction was compared using
receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis against pre-operative,
post-operative and δ WOMAC scores. We found no relationship between pre-operative WOMAC scores and
one-year post-operative WOMAC or satisfaction scores, with Spearman’s
rank correlation coefficients of 0.16 and –0.05, respectively. The
ROC analysis showed areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.54 (pre-operative
WOMAC), 0.67 (post-operative WOMAC) and 0.43 (δ WOMAC), respectively,
for an improvement in satisfaction. We conclude that the pre-operative WOMAC score does not predict
the post-operative WOMAC score or patient satisfaction after THA,
and that WOMAC scores can therefore not be used to prioritise patient
care. Cite this article:
The treatment of substantial proximal femoral
bone loss in young patients with developmental dysplasia of the
hip (DDH) is challenging. We retrospectively analysed the outcome
of 28 patients (30 hips) with DDH who underwent revision total hip
replacement (THR) in the presence of a deficient proximal femur,
which was reconstructed with an allograft prosthetic composite.
The mean follow-up was 15 years (8.5 to 25.5). The mean number of
previous THRs was three (1 to 8). The mean age at primary THR and
at the index reconstruction was 41 years (18 to 61) and 58.1 years
(32 to 72), respectively. The indication for revision included mechanical
loosening in 24 hips, infection in three and peri-prosthetic fracture
in three. Six patients required removal and replacement of the allograft
prosthetic composite, five for mechanical loosening and one for
infection. The survivorship at ten, 15 and 20 years was 93% (95%
confidence interval (CI) 91 to 100), 75.5% (95% CI 60 to 95) and
75.5% (95% CI 60 to 95), respectively, with 25, eight, and four
patients at risk, respectively. Additionally, two junctional nonunions
between the allograft and host femur required bone grafting and
plating. An allograft prosthetic composite affords a good long-term outcome
in the management of proximal femoral bone loss in revision THR
in patients with DDH, while preserving distal host bone.