Bipolar hemiarthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis of the hip.

One hundred twenty-five bipolar hemiarthroplasties of the hip were performed at the authors' hospital. Although the procedure was performed for acute femoral neck fractures, rheumatoid arthritis, revision hemiarthroplasty, and primary osteoarthritis, only the latter is the subject of this review. A modified Harris hip score (HHS) was used to evaluate the patients both preoperatively and postoperatively. Radiographs were taken preoperatively as well as postoperatively at 2-, 4-, 6-, and 24-month intervals. A total of 68 patients underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty for primary hip osteoarthritis. The mean preoperative HHS was 35.5 (SEM = 1.86); the mean postoperative score was 81.2 (SEM = 1.64) with an average improvement of 45.7 (SEM = 2.03). The results of this review were compared to a control group of conventional total hip arthroplasties performed at the same institution. The mean postoperative HHS for the group of conventional arthroplasties was 87.2 (SEM = 1.07). The results of this review indicate a good clinical result from bipolar hemiarthroplasty, but significantly less postoperative function when compared to conventional total hip arthroplasty.