Total hip replacement comparison between the McKee-Farrar and Charnley prostheses in a 5-year follow-up study

In a prospective study, 177 patients who underwent total hip replacement by the McKee-Farrar or Charnley techniques were followed up for 5 years with yearly clinical examinations, walking tests, and X-rays. The findings concerning pain, walking ability, and complications were satisfactory and similar to the inventors' own 5-year results. Comparison between the two techniques disclosed no major differences. Over 90% of the patients were free from pain; the infection rate was 3.4% and the loosening rate 6%. A walking test showed marked increase in speed over the first few years and a slight decrease after the third year. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that the metal-on-metal prosthesis is clinically inferior to the metal-on-polyethylene prosthesis.