Human growth hormone in polymethyl methacrylate. A controlled study of 15 hip arthroplasties

Growth hormone-loaded polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was used in 15 hip replacements. The levels of growth hormone and insulin growth factor-I from the hip and the blood were measured before, and after, implanting PMMA containing 20 mg of growth hormone. Low levels of growth hormone and insulin growth factor-I were found in the femur initially, but very high local levels were found after implanting the growth hormone-loaded PMMA. These results were compared with the low levels found in 15 patients in a control group undergoing cemented or cementless hip replacement without added growth hormone. The local levels of growth hormone and insulin growth factor-I declined rapidly during the first 72 hours and were near normal at the end of this time. Systemic levels of growth hormone and insulin growth factor-I were not affected by the implantation of growth hormone-loaded PMMA. No complications or adverse reactions were noted. However, randomized studies with long-term follow-up are mandatory before the use of growth hormone-loaded PMMA is justified.