BILATERAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY IN A ONE-STAGE OPERATION: RESULTS AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate quality-of-life (QoL) in patients undergoing bilateral hip arthroplasty implanted during the same operation.Material and methods: Sixty-one patients (28 women and 33 men) underwent surgery between November 1989 and February 2002. Average age was 42±14 years (13–76). Indications were primary osteoarthritis (n=24), secondary osteoarthritis (n=31), aseptic osteonecrosis (n=25) and rheumatoid disease (n=6). The implants (Ceraver Osteal) were cemented (50 stems, 11 cups) or coated with hydroxyapatite (72 stems, 11 cups). An alumina-alumina bearing was used in all cases. The Postel-Merle-d’Aubigne score was noted to assess function. QoL was measured prospectively in 27 patients using the SF-36 and the WOMAC, preoperatively and every three months.Results: None of the patients were lost to follow-up. Complications included two intraoperative femoral fractures treated by cerclage, one early dislocation, three thromboemoblic events (including one case of pulmonary embo...