Clinical outcome and incidence of pregnancy after bipolar and total hip arthroplasty in young women.

Female patients under 45 years of age (average, 32.5; range, 14-44) at the time of primary bipolar or total hip arthroplasty (THA) were surveyed an average 10.5 years (range, 1.7 to 20.3 years) after the index procedure. Most patients were satisfied with the pain relief and functional abilities. Of the 109 respondents (137 hips), 37 (34%) had undergone 50 additional hip procedures. Thirteen women (12%) had 19 children at an average of 3 years after hip arthroplasty. Seven women had 1 child each; 6 had 2 children; and 1 had dizygotic twins. Eleven infants were delivered vaginally and 8 by cesarean section (5 planned, 3 unplanned). Two pregnancies were considered high risk unrelated to the hip arthroplasty. Pregnancy-related complications for these patients did not differ from those in the general population.