Long-term results of low-friction arthroplasty performed in a community hospital, including a radiologic review.

This report is a prospective review of 450 low-friction arthroplasties (LFAs) performed by a single surgeon from 1972 to 1983 in a community hospital. The clinical results show sustained quality of the result over a maximum follow-up period of 11 years. The radiologic review shows a slight increase in the number and size of radiolucent lines with time. Bacteriologic studies confirm that clean-air technology reduces the bacteriologic contamination of the operating room and the wound. Deep infections occurred in 1.6% of cases. The most notable complication was failure to obtain bony union of the osteotomized trochanter in 14% of cases. The revision rate for aseptic loosening of the cup was 0.7% and of the femoral prosthesis 0.0%.