PREDICTIVE VALUE OF EARLY RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN CEMENTLESS TOTAL HIP-ARTHROPLASTY FEMORAL COMPONENTS - AN 8-YEAR TO 12-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Total hip replacement was performed in 119 patients (124 hips) with an uncemented Ortholoc femoral component between 1982 and 1987. Eight pa tients (9 hips) died, and 13 patients (15 hips) were lost to follow-up , leaving 98 patients (100 hips) followed for 8 to 12 years. Pain scor es and anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the femoral componen t from the 2-year follow-up visit were evaluated. Twenty-four of the 1 00 hips were revised for aseptic loosening. Radio graphic criteria wer e highly effective in predicting those cases that would require revisi on. Radiolucent lines occurred at a higher frequency in all Gruen zone s of the revision group radiographs, and the differences were statisti cally significant in zones 1, 7, 8, and 14 (P < .001). Proximal radiol ucent lines were present in all of the revision cases and in 45% of th e nonrevision cases. Radiolucent lines occurring on the lateral view a lone were a statistically significant predictor of future need for rev ision (P < .001). Presence of radiolucent lines around the porous coat ing was 100% sensitive and 55% specific in predicting future revision. Absence of radiolucent lines around the porous coating was 100% sensi tive and 45% specific in predicting no need for revision in the first 8 years.