The aims of retrospective cohort study were: analysis of general and local factors, evaluation of clinical and radiographic results and presentation of authors' experience in total hip arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis. Study group consists of 222 consecutive total hip arthroplasties (205 cemented and 17 cementless) made in 216 patients. Mean patients' age was 58.4 y.o (range: 34-77 y.o.). In study group were 192 women and 24 men. Mean preoperative function was poor: 28.4 points (range: 24-32 p.). Clinical evaluation was made with Harris hip score, and radiographic one with criteria of Joined Committee of Hip Society, AAOS and SICOT. Clinical results of the study group were as follow: excellent--53 (23.9%), good--128 (57.6%), fair--34 (15.3%) and poor--7 (3.2%). Mean postoperative function was good: 86.8 points (range: 28-94 p.). There were following radiographic results of study group: good--176 (79.3%), fair--28 (12.6%) and poor--18 (8.1%). Complications another than aseptic loosening were observed in 56 (25.2%) hips.
1) general and local factors make total hip arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis more difficult procedure than the same one in osteoarthritis, 2) log-term survival rate of hip replacement in rheumatoid arthritis mainly depends on proper bone stock reconstruction, 3) 80-85% of excellent and good clinical and radiographic results are achieved at 12-year follow-up, 4) incidence of local and systemic postoperative complications are similar to osteoarthritis population, 5) preoperative autologous blood donation does not decrease demand of postoperative blood transfusion.