Nineteen year review of hydroxyapatite ceramic coated hip implants: A clinical and histological evaluation

The goal of hip arthroplasty is to restore the patient to an active and pain free life for ever. Unfortunately, prosthetic implants fail because of loosening, wear or infection. This study sets out to ascertain whether or not Hydroxyapatite hip arthroplasty (HA) will produce long-lasting function of at least ten years in unselected patients of all ages and all diagnoses. Cemented implants used in hip arthroplasty often loosen after ten or more years of use. This is partly mechanical but also associated with debris disease arising from plastic wear products. Cementing techniques have been improved and the Swedish Hip Register [1] demonstrates that the revision rates have been reduced with improved cementing techniques. Revision surgery after cemented arthroplasty is difficult and may be complicated by fracture of the host bone. Bioactive materials are being used to secure joint implants [2,3] and this paper presents the results of a consecutive series of hip arthroplasties carried out over a total period of over 19 years using the Furlong Hydroxyapatite Ceramic Coated hip prosthesis.[4, 5].