Loosening and infection in the post-implantation hip--diagnostic screening with radionuclides

Loosening and infection are the most common complications of the Charnley Low Friction Arthroplasty (CLFA). A non-invasive diagnostic approach to the symptomatic patient consists of plain radiographs of the hips and nuclear imaging with a bone seeking isotope compound. Nuclear imaging is a more sensitive indicator of post-implantation complications than plain radiography, though both complement each other. Bone scintigraphy may be positive when radiographs are normal. In no patient with loosening or infection was the nuclear study normal. In the presence of a normal nuclear image and normal radiographs, there is a small probability that either complication is present.