Use of osteonics UHR hemiarthroplasty for fractures of the femoral neck.

A clinical and radiographic study of bipolar hip arthroplasties was performed for fractures of the femoral neck. All patients were treated with the Osteonics UHR system. Clinical results were evaluated in 77 patients (77 hips) who were observed for an average of 4.8 years (range, 2-10 years). At the latest followup, 67 (87%) patients were rated as having a good or excellent outcome according to the Hospital for Special Surgery hip rating system. Clinical ratings in patients treated with cementless UHR were similar to or better than those of patients with cemented UHR. Hip dislocation occurred in only 3 (2.3%) patients, in whom the hip joint was reduced by a closed procedure without inducing disassembly of the prosthetic components. None of the patients had definitive acetabular erosion. The motion of the outer head was evaluated radiographically in 63 patients in weightbearing and non-weightbearing conditions, 3 to 108 months after surgery. The relative motion at the 2 sites of articulation of the outer head had stabilized by 3 months after surgery and subsequently remained unchanged. The authors' findings indicate that UHR hemiarthroplasty of the femoral head is a reliable treatment for fractures of the femoral neck.