DO WE NEED TO FOLLOW UP PRIMARY TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENTS

Background: There are no evidence based guidelines on the surveillance of cemented total hip arthroplasty. We reviewed the outcomes of those patients undergoing this procedure in 1996 & 1997. Methods: The patients were identified from theatre log books. The follow up date was then retrieved from the electronic patient record system used at our institution. From these we recorded the age, sex, side of procedure, evidence of radiological loosening & time of revision surgery. The data with regards to radiological evidence of loosening & revision surgery were then analysed using a ® statistical software package. From this we were able to plot Kaplan-Meier survival & hazard plots. Results: We identified 425 primary total hip arthroplasties. Using radiological evidence of loosening as the end point we found that there was an initial peak and a peak at 8 years. There was a 10 year survival rate of 85.8%. Using revision surgery as the end point we found that there was, again, an initial peak & a peak at 8 years. There was a 10 year survival rate of 91.5%. Conclusions: Once the patient has made it through the first post operative year they do not need to be followed up again until 8 years assuming they remain asymptomatic.