Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a Large Femoral Head: The Short-Term Follow-up Results and the Early Complications

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the short-term follow-up results after total hip arthroplasty with using a 36 mm large femoral head. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 2004 and August 2007, 104 patients were treated with total hip arthroplasties using a 36 mm-Cobalt-Chrome femoral head with Longevity (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN) as the polyethylene liner. The average age at the time of the index operation was 61.4 years (range: 23 to 87 years), and the mean follow-up period was 27 months (range: 18 to 46 months). The clinical results and early complications after the operation were analyzed. RESULTS: The Harris Hip Scores were more than 'Good' in all cases with an average score of 93, and the Merle d' Aubigne and Postel scores were more than 'Good' in 75% of the patients. All the femoral stems that were cemented or cementless had satisfactory fixation. Dislocation developed in one case and only one time, and there were no other complications during the follow-up period CONCLUSION: Total hip arthroplasty with using a 36 mm large femoral head is a recommendable treatment with a low dislocation rate and high satisfaction, which comes from the lack of restriction of the postoperative hip position and movement.

Comparison of Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty and Total Hip Arthroplasty using Large Heads in Patients with Femoral Neck Fractures / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To compare the short-term clinical outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) with a large diameter femoral head (36 mm) and bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BA) in physiologically active elderly patients with femoral neck fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This non-concurrent clinical trial included 169 patients with femoral neck fractures, who had been treated with prosthetic replacement from February 2004 and June 2007. Eighty-nine and 80 cases underwent BA and THA, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 36 months (18-52). The clinical outcomes were analyzed, and the latest follow-up radiographs were assessed to determine the number of complications. RESULTS: The mean operation time was longer in the THA group. The pain, mobility, and walking ability factors were better in the THA group than in the BA group. There was no limitation in the range of motion in the early post-operative period and no dislocations were encountered in either group. CONCLUSION: THA with a large diameter femoral head is recommended for the management of patients with femoral neck fractures.