Thirty-two noninfected total hip arthroplasties revised due to stem loosening

Thirty-two total hip arthroplasties with radiographic signs of loosening were revised due to pain. Infected hips were excluded from the study on the basis of clinical, radiographic, and laboratory findings. In spite of increased operating time and blood loss, early complications were rare. In most patients the result of revision was a pain-free hip with good function. However, in seven patients (22%) results were rated failures, and six of these patients required rerevision. Only one underwent a Girdlestone resection.