Need for bilateral arthroplasty for coxarthrosis. 1,477 replacements in 1,199 patients followed for 0-14 years.

During the 10-year period 1981-1990, 1,199 patients in the county of South Jutland, Denmark, had 1,477 primary total hip arthroplasties (THA) performed because of primary arthrosis (OA). The patients were followed until the end of 1994, with a mean follow-up of 5.6 (0-14) years. Bilateral operations were performed on 356 patients, whereas 248 patients had died with only 1 THA. The cumulated risk of replacement of the contralateral hip was approximately 0.15 1 year after replacement of the first hip, 0.20 after 2 years, 0.29 after 5 years and 0.47 after 10 years, respectively. During the follow-up period, the demand for a THA of the contralateral hip continued to be approximately 15 times higher than in the general population.