When is total hip arthroplasty a failure? The patients' perspective.

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients (186 primary, 92 revision) were surveyed regarding their satisfaction, their expectations regarding longevity, of the hip implant, and their perspective on the potential or actual need for revision surgery. The vast majority of patients were glad they had the original THA, would do it again if faced with a similar choice, and would recommend it to others. One-third of patients believed their current implants would last the rest of their life. The most common responses to either potential or actual failure were happiness it lasted as long as it did, accepting it as "one of those things," and disappointment. No primary THA patients and only 7% of revision of THA patients indicated that they would consider the primary THA a failure when revision surgery was indicated.