MEDIUM-TERM PROGNOSIS OF THE CONTRALATERAL HIP AFTER A PRIMARY ARTHROPLASTY

Abstract

Abstract INTRODUCTION Coxarthrosis is one of the most frequent and disabling pathologies. 20% of those over 60 years of age will develop symptomatic coxarthrosis and 10% end with a hip replacement. Hip arthroplasty is an alternative because it increases the quality of life. When we recommend arthroplasty in clinical practice, patients often ask about the prognosis of their other hip. Will it deteriorate in the same way? Will it be necessary to operate it? When? The objective is to determine if there is any variable or radiological sign that predicts the medium-term prognosis of the contralateral hip after total hip arthroplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective study of patients who underwent Total Hip Arthroplasty in our hospital during 2011 and 2012 was carried out, with a total of 543 patients. The degree of coxarthrosis was determined at the time of the first arthroplasty and at regular intervals during follow-up, according to the JOA and Tónnis classifications, analyzing each of the items included in these classifications. RESULTS A progression of osteoarthritis of the contralateral hip could be expected in the next 3 years in 10% of patients. This progression will be greater and faster in those with grade II-III and, especially, in those with greater joint narrowing and greater alteration of the femoral head, and can reach between 25 and 30% of patients. CONCLUSIONS The degree of initial JOA is a predictive factor for requiring a hip replacement on the contralateral side.