[Complications following hip joint prosthesis]

Complications seen after long-term follow-up examinations of total hip replacement should be treated immediately and completely. In the past decade a considerable increase in revisions has been noted. Radiographic assessment may be regarded as an effective means in diagnosing prosthetic complications from the surgeon's point of view. Examples are given. The difficulties in radiographic assessment of complications after cementless implantation or cemented prostheses without contrast media are mentioned. Prosthesis-related complications, such as mechanical loosening, infection with and without loosening, fatigue fractures and wear, fractures of the femur or pelvis, dislocations and surgical failures, are illustrated, as are clinical courses with gross loss of bone stock after repeated surgery and delayed revisions. Complications not related to the prosthesis such as periarticular ossification, muscle deficiencies, and nervous and vascular lesions are also explained using examples.