Aim of the investigation was to identify prognostic factors predicting the level of postoperative function following Girdlestone ("G")-arthroplasty.
Data were derived from 87 patients, 90 hips, treated with "G"-arthroplasty at one institution between 1983 and 2000.
Hip scores amounted to 38.7 (HHS) and 3.5 (Merle) points. The number of previously implanted total hip arthroplasties (THR) did not correlate with the functional result of "G"-arthroplasty (r = - 0.1400; p = 0.4524). On average, the duration of THR prior to "G"-arthroplasty was 44.6 months. Survival time of the latest THR and function of "G"-arthroplasty did not correlate (r = 0.0705; p = 0.7065). Patient age at primary THR, at follow-up, or at "G"-procedure did not correlate with HHS (r = - 0.0367, p = 0.8418, r = 0.1527, p = 0.4121; r = - 0.0151; p = 0.9356, respectively). Time following "G"-arthroplasty, averaging 90.6 months, did not correlate with patients function (r = 0.0920, p = 0.6289). Revision following "G"-procedure and the presence of diabetes positively correlated (p = 0.0104). The appearance of cement in the femoral canal and radiographic signs of persistent bone infection correlated significantly (p = 0.0572).
Patient age, duration of "G"-hips, and number of prior THR were not reliable to predict the function of "G"-arthroplasty.