Clinical Results and Radiologic Findings Four to Eight Years after Total Hip Replacement with the Link RS Endoprosthesis System

Abstract

A total of 102 uncemented Link Rippen System (RS) total hip prostheses were implanted in 100 patients whose mean age was 57 years. The Merle d'Aubigné hip score was 9.3 preoperatively and 15.3 at the latest follow-up. The thigh was painful in 56 per cent; 5 per cent had moderate or severe pain. Forty-five per cent of patients had a slight limp and 9 per cent a severe limp at the most recent follow-up. Fifteen per cent still needed a cane.

A Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis revealed a 74 per cent probability of survival at 6 years.

Serial radiographic evaluations revealed that 16 per cent of patients (non-revised hips) had acetabular component migration, 10 per cent had continuous femoral radiolucen-cies, 14 per cent had subsidence and 31 per cent progressive varus migration.