THE 13 TO 16.5 YEAR RESULTS OF THE USE OF THE JRI FURLONG HYDROXYAPATITE COATED FEMORAL STEM

Since 1986 the JRI Furlong hydroxyapatite coated femoral stem has been in use at our institution. We present the results of the first 100 hips performed on 86 patients by or under the direct supervision of one surgeon (JANS). The Furlong stem was used in conjunction with a ceramic head and CCI cemented UHDP cup. AT the time of surgery the mean age of the patients was 69 (range 45–94 years). One patient has undergone excision arthroplasty for suspected infection at which time the femoral component was found to be well bonded. At latest review, all patients were accounted for. 48 patients had died with no death directly related to surgery and no revisions or planned revision of the femoral component at the time of death. Of the 38 surviving patients (44 hips), the mean Merle d’Aubigne & Postel score was 5.8 for pain, 5.7 for movement and 4.9 for function at 13 to 16.5 years follow up (mean 14.0). No femoral component showed radiological evidence of loosening. Five acetabular components have been revised for aseptic loosening with the femoral component found to be well bonded at the time of revision and therefore left in situ. In this series of hydroxyapatite coated femoral stems the overall revision rate is 1% with no cases of aseptic loosening. This hydroxyapatite coated prosthesis, at long term follow up has superior survival figures to other types of femoral components.