title: Trochanteric non-union--does it influence the rate of revision following primary total hip replacement? A minimum of 15 years follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Trochanteric non-union may alter the biomechanics and the forces going through the hip joint leading to increased polyethylene wear and hence a higher revision rate. The aim of our study was to determine if trochanteric non-union was associated with a higher incidence of acetabular and/ or femoral revision for mechanical failure, i.e. aseptic loosening.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred and twenty-six total hip replacements performed in 318 patients between 1979 and 1989 were reviewed. The status of the trochanter was determined using the senior author's (JPH) classification of trochanteric union/non-union. The mean follow-up was 16.7 years (15-25 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  20.5% (61/297) of hips with united trochanter and 20.6% (6/29) with un-united trochanter had been revised at the latest follow-up. The difference was not significant (p-value > 0.1, odds ratio 1.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We could not find any influence of trochanteric non-union on acetabular or femoral revision rate over a mean follow-up period of 17 years (range 15-25 years).
authors.affiliation: The Hip Unit, Wrightington Hospital, Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan WN6 9EP. amehra@talk21.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehra
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Hemmady
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hodgkinson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome