Long-term results of cemented total hip arthroplasty.

Long-term results of total hip replacement by low-friction arthroplasty show a consistent and reproducible outcome for relief of pain, increased mobility, and function in most patients followed for five to 15 years after surgery. In a review of 1009 consecutive operations, the rate of reoperation and potential failures for mechanical and infectious causes was 4.5%, which compares favorably with similar results in the literature. Seven series of operations employing the Charnley low-friction arthroplasty technique were compared. The failure rate was less than 10% in these series, provided that the operations had been performed either at a center dedicated to hip arthroplasty or by a surgeon devoting his career to hip replacement surgery.