Low-friction arthroplasty of the hip. A 10-12-year follow-up study.

The data from a series of patients operated upon by Charnley and reviewed after ten to 12 years shows that low-frictional torque arthroplasty remains a sound concept of design. If done with precision, it is still the best operation for patients with discomfort and disability from coxarthrosis. The development of a sound interface is controlled not only by the initial strength of the interlock achieved by the surgeon, but also by the loads applied to it by the patients. The total hip arthroplasty may be a miracle of modern medicine, but it can never be superior to normal articulation; this should encourage the surgeon to steer the patient away from unreasonable expectations. In this review, 217 arthroplasties were performed in 184 patients; 58 died, leaving 153 arthroplasties in 126 patients. Eighty-eight percent were more than satisfactory; 6% required revision. This was due to aseptic loosening in only two percent.