Arthroplasty using the Charnley prosthesis in old tuberculosis of the hip. Clinical experience with 8-10-year follow-up evaluation.

Twenty patients with tuberculosis of the hip joint were treated by low-friction arthroplasty (LFA) and followed for eight to ten years. Five of the patients had reactivation of the infection and subsequent failure despite the use of chemotherapy. Successful revision arthroplasties have been performed on two of the five hips. LFA can be recommended for patients with old tuberculous hips, provided it is combined with adequate chemotherapy both before and after surgery.