Outcome and long-term results following total hip replacement in elderly patients

The authors reviewed the preoperative and postoperative charts and radiographs of 100 patients who were at least 80 years old when they underwent total hip arthroplasty. Seventy-six of these patients were available for further reexamination and evaluation. The average patient age was 85.2 years old (range, 80-97 years). The average followup period was 59.4 months (range, 26-146 months). The female to male ratio was 4 to 1. Osteoarthritis was the most common diagnosis. Hospital stay ranged from 12 to 39 days. Preoperative Charnley pain and walking scores averaged 5.1 points of a possible 12 points, and postoperative scores averaged 10.6 points. Eighty-eight percent of patients remained community walkers, and 60% used a cane. Four percent of the patients had 1 dislocation. There were no instances of mechanical loosening and no deaths. Subjective satisfaction was high. The level of independent living was maintained in 96% of patients at long-term followup. A satisfactory and cost-effective health outcome can be anticipated after total hip arthroplasty in octogenarian and nonagenarian patients.