Long-term clinical and radiographic results of cementless total hip arthroplasty for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: minimal 10-year follow-up.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to clarify the long-term clinical and radiographic results of cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Twenty-eight total hip arthroplasties in 24 patients with a diagnosis of RA were performed from October 1992 to October 1996. All components were titanium alloy with a circumferential porous coating. Six patients (six hips) died before the 10-year follow-up, and one patient (one hip) was lost to follow-up, leaving 21 joints of 17 patients for review at a minimum 10-year follow-up after surgery. There were 3 men and 14 women with an average age of 55.0 years. The average duration of RA at the time of the operation was 12.6 years, and the average follow-up period was 12.2 years. We evaluated the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) hip scores, radiographic changes and survivor rates of components.

Results: Compared with the preoperative JOA hip scores, there was significant improvement in the postoperative scores. Spot welds consistent with bone ingrowth were identified in 95.0% of the femoral components. No femoral components showed radiographic loosening or required revision for aseptic loosening, but two acetabular revisions were performed because of aseptic loosening. The 14-year survivor rates of the stem and cup with the end point of loosening were 100% and 88.2%, respectively.

Conclusions: Cementless THA with this component design in patients with RA appears to be a promising treatment.