Clinical outcome and survival of Link RS total hip prosthesis.

We report the clinical outcome and survival of 100 total hip arthroplasties with Link RS cementless hip prostheses after a mean of 63 months (51 to 93). The average preoperative Merle d'Aubigné hip score was 9.4 points and the average score at the latest follow-up was 15.3 points. Thirteen prostheses have been revised and seven await revision. Survivorship analysis based on intention to revise showed only 68% survival at seven years (95% CI 53% to 81%). The survivals of femoral and acetabular components verified to be loose at surgery were 78% and 89% respectively at seven years. A number of other patients have pain and it seems likely that there will be substantial reduction in these survival figures in the future.