Bateman U.P.F. hip arthroplasties with acetabular reaming were performed on one male and 19 female relatively young patients (average age of 41.3) with severe osteoarthritis according to carefully considered indications. Bilateral operations were not done on any of them.
In the procedure, the acetabulum was deepened with a reamer that was the same size as the outer head, and an outer head as large as possible was used. Severely dysplastic hips received on acetabular bone graft. Sufficient active exercise of joints and non-weight bearing activity were carefully continued in postoperative care.
Clinical evaluation done by the criteria of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association revealed a score for five years of about 80, compared with 41 before operation. The scores for pain and range of motion improved within one year, but those for walking ability improved slowly over a 3-year period. Patients with acetabular bone graft had scores the same as those without bone graft had.
Intra-and post-operative complications of infection, dislocation, fracture and neurovascular injury were not observed. In X-ray examination, a demarcation line was observed around the outer head in patients having a good clinical score. Migration of the outer head was not observed in anyone.
