[Reimplantation of the artificial hip joint in girdlestone hips is superior to girdlestone arthroplasty by itself]. / Die Reimplantation des künstlichen Gelenkersatzes in Girdlestone Hüften ist der belassenen Girdlestone Situation überlegen.

AIM: The aim of this work was to compare the functional results of secondary Girdlestone hips with the results of total hip replacement (THR) after a Girdlestone situation. METHODS: 72 patients with THR following a Girdlestone situation and 87 patients with a Girdlestone situation (90 hips) were compared with regard to defined endpoints. RESULTS: THR following a Girdlestone situation provided for significantly higher patient satisfaction (89 % versus 13 %) and hip function (HHS 63 versus 39 points). The groups only marginally differed with regard to the incidence of complications (0.32 versus 0.26 per patient) and the necessity for surgical revision (0.38 versus 0.31 per patient). CONCLUSION: Conversion of Girdlestone hips with THR provided patient satisfaction and functional results superior to secondary Girdlestone hips while the incidence of postoperative complications and revisions were similar for both groups. These differences justify attempts at the conversion of Girdlestone situations with THR, if technically possible, in accordance with the patient's wish and as allowed by his/her general health.