Charnley low-friction arthroplasty. A fifteen- to seventeen-year follow-up study.

One hundred Charnley low-friction arthroplasties have been reviewed at 15 to 17 years. Thirty-five of the patients have died. A revision rate of 16 per cent has been recorded. Only two cases demonstrated cavitation and cortical destruction of the femur, and these cases were revised successfully. One of the major causes for revision was fracture of the femoral component. With modern alloys, this should not be a long-term problem. Our data would suggest that the cemented arthroplasty can be used with confidence in patients 65 and older. It is our hope that modern cement technology and component design will increase the longevity of the cemented arthroplasty.