Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty for Primary Osteoarthritis of the Hip: A Review of 41 Cases With 8 to 10 Years of Follow-Up

By Kirk A. Kindsfater, MD, Andrew I. Spitzer, MD, Jonathan L. Schaffer, MD, Richard D. Scott, MD.

Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty April 1998, Vol. 21, No. 4

Abstract: This article reports the results of 41 hips in 36 patients who underwent bipolar hemiarthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis of the hip. Surgical technique included a complete capsulectomy and light reaming of the acetabulum in all patients. The average follow-up was 8.9 years with a minimum of 8 years. Harris hip scores improved from 49 preoperatively to 93 at the latest follow-up, with 95% of the hips rated as excellent or good. Two patients had mild, intermittent groin pain, while a third developed recalcitrant pain necessitating revision. Migration of the bipolar cup was minimal with an average of 2.3 mm superior and 2.1 mm medial migration. Surviviorship analysis demonstrated an 89.5% survival rate at 10 years.