PAIN LEVELS AFTER TOTAL HIP-REPLACEMENT - THEIR USE AS END-POINTS FORSURVIVAL ANALYSIS

We have assessed the relative value of various outcome measures after THR, by the analysis of follow-up data from over 2000 patients. They h ad been reviewed clinically and radiologically six months after operat ion, at one year, and then every two years, some for 16 years, At each review their pain level, stiffness and opinion of progress were score d and a radiograph taken. We found that pain level was the most inform ative outcome as a predictor of revision and correlated well with the patients' opinions. We made a comparison between the six types of impl ant in the series, using survival analysis and log-rank testing with d ifferent pain levels as endpoints, This analysis revealed differences which were not detected by survival analysis using the traditional end point of revision. We therefore recommend the use of different levels of pain as the main outcome measures after total hip replacement.