Abstract
We reviewed the results of bipolar hemiarthroplasty performed in 49 hip joints in 42 patients. The mean follow-up period was 122.3 months (range, 65 to 183 months) . The original disease was avascular necrosis (ANF) of the femoral head in 23 joints, osteoarthritis in 14, femoral neck fracture in 10 and ankylosing spondylitis in 2 joints. The revision surgery had to be performed in 7 other joints (14.3%) and severe loosening was found in 7 joints. Out of 27 joints with a normal acetabulum, proximal migration of the prosthesis of over 3 mm was radiologically diagnosed in only 2 hips (7.4%) . In the 22 joints that needed acetabular reaming during the first surgery, proximal migration was seen in as many as 19 joints (86.4%) . The results of the present study suggest that bipolar hemiarthroplasty can be successful in patients who have normal acetabulum, such as early ANF and should not be used for degenerative and displastic acetabulum that need reaming and bone grafting.
