Long-term clinical and radiographic results of cementless total hip arthroplasty for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: minimal 10-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to clarify the long-term clinical and radiographic results of cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Twenty-eight total hip arthroplasties in 24 patients with a diagnosis of RA were performed from October 1992 to October 1996. All components were titanium alloy with a circumferential porous coating. Six patients (six hips) died before the 10-year follow-up, and one patient (one hip) was lost to follow-up, leaving 21 joints of 17 patients for review at a minimum 10-year follow-up after surgery. There were 3 men and 14 women with an average age of 55.0 years. The average duration of RA at the time of the operation was 12.6 years, and the average follow-up period was 12.2 years. We evaluated the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) hip scores, radiographic changes and survivor rates of components.

RESULTS

Compared with the preoperative JOA hip scores, there was significant improvement in the postoperative scores. Spot welds consistent with bone ingrowth were identified in 95.0% of the femoral components. No femoral components showed radiographic loosening or required revision for aseptic loosening, but two acetabular revisions were performed because of aseptic loosening. The 14-year survivor rates of the stem and cup with the end point of loosening were 100% and 88.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Cementless THA with this component design in patients with RA appears to be a promising treatment.