Hemiarthroplasty of the hip using a low-friction bipolar endoprosthesis.

A low-friction bipolar endoprosthesis was implanted in 200 patients. The primary indications for the procedure were acute fractures or failed internal fixation of the hip. The prosthesis was also implanted in a smaller series of patients who presented with pathologic lesions of the femoral head and minimal involvement of the acetabulum. Intrahospital results proved the morbidity and mortality rates to be well within acceptable limits for arthroplasty of the hip. Seventy-five patients were followed up during periods of one to eight years (average, 3 years). Sixty-nine patients (92%) with satisfactory results had a mean Harris hip rating score of 87 points. Six patients (8%) scored below 70, indicating a poor result. The biomechanical advantage of the bipolar endoprosthesis is reflected in the low incidence of failures.