Follow-up study of total hip replacement in the elderly patients

A follow-up study was performed on 68 total hip replacements (THR) in 62 patients over 65 years of age who were followed for more than 3 years (average, 6 years 9 months). Except in 14 cases of death or 9 incomplete histories at follow-up, 39 cases were investigated both clinically and radiologically. Thirty-four were osteoarthritic patients and others were avascular necrosis of the femoral head and femoral neck fracture. For the operations, Charnley, Müller and New Müller type prosthesis were used. In a prognostic nutritional index, all records were over 45. Although elderly patients hed various pre-operative complications, hip scores have improved from 44.3 to 79.2 points post-operatively. Radiological study confirmed that osteoporosis in aged patients has little relationship with loosening of the prosthesis. Results of the THR using Müller prosthesis were poor compared with the Charnley or New Müller prosthesis. For elderly patients, THR can be well indicated even if the life span is not so long after the operation.