SINGLE-STAGE, BILATERAL, CEMENTLESS TOTAL HIP-ARTHROPLASTY

Single-stage, bilateral cementless total hip arthroplasties were perfo rmed in 92 patients (184 arthroplasties) between March 1984 and Decemb er 1989. The clinical and radiographic findings were retrospectively e valuated, and the effects df weight bearing on the clinical and radiog raphic outcomes of the patients' prostheses were assessed. With a foll ow-up period ranging from 24 to 77 months (average, 44 months), the po stoperative Harris hip scores averaged 94.6. Radiographic assessment a t the most recent follow-up examination showed that 70% of the femoral components were optimally fixed, 26% were stable, and 4% had failed. Ninety-six percent of the acetabular components were optimally fixed. There were six acetabular component failures. These results indicate t hat single-stage, bilateral, cementless total hip arthroplasty can be performed without compromise to either hip if initial fit is achieved in both the metaphyseal and diaphyseal portions of the femur. Moreover , weight bearing did not adversely affect the initial stability and po ssible bone ingrowth, further implicating initial rigid fixation as pa ramount among the factors influencing the amount of ingrowth into the prosthesis.