Abstract
A total of 29 rheumatoid patients (43 hips) were treated by total hip arthroplasty from 1978 to 1985. Here we report the results of a follow-up examination more than 5 years after surgery in 18 patients (27 hips) . Of the other 11, 8 had died, 2 had late infection, and one refused the follow-up examination. The average age of those followedup was 54, ranging from 42 to 72, and the postoperative periods varied from 5 to 11 years with an average of 7 years, 2 months.
Most of those patients assessed their results as being satisfactory and the function of their operated -on hips was favorable. Loosenings and migrations of the socket were found to be more frequent than those of the stem side. The survival rates were 82% after 5 years, 70% after 7 years, and 50 % after more than 10 years.
In order to maintain the quality of life of rheumatoid arthritis patients who undergo total hip replacement, the most important factor is to ensure careful post-operative management.
