Total hip arthroplasty for osteonecrosis.

The success of Charnley cemented total hip arthroplasty for osteonecrosis of the femoral head was assessed using survival analysis. Eighty-seven total hip arthroplasties were followed up for an average of 5.7 years (range, 1.4-13.0 years). There were 59 women and 28 men. The average age was 60 years (range, 30-84 years). Using Charnley hip scores, all patients showed significant progress. The survival analysis showed that using femoral loosening, revision, and pain scores less than 5 as end points, survival was 0.61, 0.94, and 0.81, respectively. With revision as an end point, there were no differences between patients in groups less than 50 and greater than or equal to 50 years of age, weighing less than 185 and greater than =185 lb, and men versus women. There was an 11.5% overall revision rate. Charnley cemented total hip arthroplasty is a viable alternative for patients with painful osteonecrosis.