Life expectancy after total hip arthroplasty.

The 6-year survival rate was investigated in 646 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or complications following femoral neck fracture between 1978 and 1982. A comparison of mortality was done between patients treated by osteosynthesis for fresh femoral neck fracture and a matched general population. The mortality was lower than that of the matched general population after total hip arthroplasty and even lower for patients treated for fresh femoral neck fracture. Patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis had the highest survival rate, followed by patients with rheumatoid arthritis and complications after femoral neck fractures.