Primary Total Hip Replacement in The Military Hospital in Kathmandu

Total hip replacement is one of the most widely performed and amongst the most successful orthopedic procedures performed worldwide. Even though it is a common orthopedic procedure in developed nations, it is performed only in selected centers in Nepal. This study will review the functional outcome of total hip replacements carried out in Shree Birendra Hospital.

We reviewed the records of total hip replacements, which were carried out in Shree Birendra Hospital, Kathmandu. Twenty-one hips were cemented and nineteen were uncemented. Cases were followed up in six weeks, twelve weeks, six months and every year from then on. Outcome in terms of Harris hip score of 40 osteoarthritic hips were measured pre-operatively as well as post-operatively.

The mean age of the patients was 50.63 years (range 22-79 years). The commonest reason for the replacement was primary osteoarthritis of the hip. Thirty-nine patients underwent unilateral total hip replacement while in one patient both hips were replaced. The mean Harris hip score for the forty hips that were available at the latest follow-up examination at an average of five years (range two to six and a half years) after the operation was 85.2 ± 7.65 points as compared to the pre-operative mean Harris hip score of 32.38 ± 3.4.

Based on improved Harris hip scores, we believe that THR is a good option in patients with end stage arthritis of the hip.