LOW-VISCOSITY VS HIGH-VISCOSITY CEMENT IN HIP-ARTHROPLASTY - NO RADIOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCE IN 226 ARTHROSIS CASES FOLLOWED FOR 5 YEARS

In 1984 and 1985, 352 hips were randomly assigned to total hip arthrop lasty with either low- or high-viscosity cement at 5 Swedish orthopedi c departments. Of the 267 hips finally included in the study, 226 were examined clinically and radiographically after 54-77 months. Radiogra phically, 21 definite stem loosenings and 1 probable stem loosening we re observed (10 percent) and 4 additional stems had been exchanged bef ore the 5-year examination. In the survivorship analysis, 261 stem pro stheses were included and using this method, 7 percent were radiograph ically loose after 5 years. There were 4 definitely loose and 8 probab ly loose acetabular cups. No difference was found between cement of hi gh and low viscosity with regard to prosthetic fixation.