Long-term results of total joint arthroplasty in nonambulatory patients

The authors conducted a long-term follow-up study of 27 patients, all confined to a bed or wheelchair for at least 6 months, who had total joint arthroplasty to relieve rest pain, correct deformity, and enable independent ambulation. The average duration of nonambulatory status before operation was 3 years (mean, 1 1/2 years), with the longest being 15 years. The patients required an average 3-month hospital stay and an average of three major total joint arthroplasties in the lower extremities. All of the patients were ambulatory at the time of discharge but required some sort of aid. After 1 year, 20 patients (74%) were able to launch independently; 9 (33%) could ambulate without aids; and 14 (52%) could ambulate with aids. At follow-up evaluation 3-12.8 years (average, 6.5 years) after operation, nine patients (33%) ambulated without aids, five (19%) required a single crutch or cane, and nine (33%) required bilateral crutches or a walker, for a total success rate of 85%, which did not deteriorate with time.