Primary cemented total hip arthroplasty-an Indian experience

We report outcome of 9-year follow-up of 50 Charnley cemented primary arthroplasties in 47 patients performed between 1996 and 1999. The minimum follow-up period was 5 years with a mean of 7 years. All hip joints were thoroughly assessed preoperatively to document patients' functional level and Harris hip score was calculated. All the patients were disabled because of pain in hip and 45 (90%) had used walking aids. At follow-up all patients were living. The radiographs of all patients were available for the entire follow-up period. Of the 50 operated hips, only 2 patients (4%) complained of pain while all the rest were free of pain. Postoperatively only 10 (20%) patients used support for walking. At follow-up none of the hips were revised. Two patients (4%) had dislocation in postoperative period in which reduction was done under anesthesia. In one patient (2%) prosthesis and cement was removed because of deep infection. In two patients (4%) radiolucent clear zone was seen at bone cement interface on acetabular side and three (6%) patients had it on femoral component. None of the patients developed deep vein thrombosis or heterotopic bone. In postoperative period the Harris hip score was calculated in each case and compared with the preoperative score to evaluate the outcome. Significant improvement was found in Harris hip score after surgery.