Abstract
From years May, 1980 through May, 1986, 131 total hip replacements were performed at our department, using the Charnley-type prosthesis (RA, 99 hips: OA, 32 hips) . In all cases we osteotomized and reattached the greater trochanter by either the three wire method or the cruciate wire method.
The cases of THR able to be followed up were divided into the RA group and the OA group. In the RA group there were 73 patients (4 men, 69 women) with a range of age from 26 years to 78 years (average, 55.6) . In the OA group there were 29 patients (6 men, 23 women) with a range of age of 47 years to 75 years (average, 63.5) .
The patients who had non-union of the greater trochanter after THR were analyzed and compared with patients who had no trochanteric problem by the review of the clinical records, the analysis of the grade of osteoporosis using preoperative roentogenograms of the hips, and the pull length of the greater trochanter at surgery. In the RA group, disease severity and medical treatment were also included in the comparative study.
Out of 131 hips, 19 hips (14.5%), i.e. 16 RA (16.2%) and 3 OA (9.4%), showed non-union of the greater trochanter. In the RA group there was a slight correlation between degree of severity of osteoporosis and non-union of the greater trochanter, but hardly any difference among the other factors.
The symptoms due to non-union of the greater trochanter were postoperative dislocation (2 hips), mild pain of the trochanteric region (6 hips), and free (11 hips) .
