There is good evidence that cementing the prostheses in place will reduce post-operative pain and lead to better mobility. From the trials to date there is no evidence of any difference in outcome between bipolar and unipolar prosthesis. There is some evidence that a total hip replacement leads to better functional outcome than a hemiarthroplasty. Further well-conducted randomised trials are required.
Prospective randomized clinical trial comparing hemiarthroplasty to total hip arthroplasty in the treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures: winner of the Dorr Award.
The Displaced Femoral (neck fracture) Arthroplasty Consortium for Treatment and Outcomes study is a prospective, multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing hemiarthroplasty to total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures in previously independent patients. Primary outcomes were measured at 6, 12, and 24 months with the Short Form-36 (SF-36), Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Harris Hip Score and the Timed "Up & Go" Test. Forty subjects were enrolled. At 24 months, THA patients had significantly less pain on the SF-36 subscale than hemiarthroplasty patients (54.8 +/- 7.9 vs 44.7 +/- 10.5, P = .04) and scored significantly better on the SF-36 mental health subscale (54.9 +/- 9.4 vs 40.9 +/- 10.3, P = .006). Total hip arthroplasty patients also had superior WOMAC function scores (81.8 +/- 10.2 vs 65.1 +/- 18.1, P = .03). Significant differences in outcomes, without a significantly greater incidence of complications, suggest THA is a valuable treatment option for the active elderly hip fracture population.