[Analysis and results following replacement surgery of loose, cemented hip endoprostheses]

Between 1971 and May 1981 2380 Total Hip Replacements were performed at the Orthopedic Clinic of the University of Vienna. In 145 patients (6,1%) a revision arthroplasty had to be done, because of loosening of the prostheses. 10 of these patients had to be reoperated once more because of a second failure. All together 76% of the patients were either very or almost content with the result of the operation. Considering only patients with one revision arthroplasty we saw 87% good and very good results. The average hip movement was 93 degrees in flexion, 20 degrees in abduction and 24 degrees in adduction. They had a fairly good walking capacity and have not been reduced in their daily work. The revision arthroplasty of a loosened total hip replacement can be advised to the patients, even though the second operation is larger and of higher risk to the patients than the first one.