[Total hip alloplasty using the Müller method. A six and a half year follow-up study]

From January 1984 to December 1986, 383 total hip arthroplasties were performed in 353 patients. Median age at operation was 69 (24-85) years. At follow-up median 78 (62-102) months after operation, 261 patients with 278 arthroplasties were still alive. A questionnaire was sent to all living patients, 258 patients (99 per cent) replied. Fifty-seven patients with 61 arthroplasties complained of pain and were called in for a check-up including x-ray. Including the dead patients a total of six arthroplasties had been revised, two because of aseptic loosening of the cup and three because of loosening of both components. One had been revised because of deep infection. In the patients called in for check-up seven were suspected of loosening of the stem and one of loosening of the cup. Survival analysis according to Kaplan-Meier showed a survival rate of the prosthesis of 98.5 per cent at 61/2 years. It is concluded that the results after total hip arthroplasties with the straight stem Müller prosthesis are satisfactory. The patients from this study will be followed prospectively from now on to investigate the long-term survival of this type of prosthesis.