[Functional outcomes after resection of hip arthroplasty (Girdlestone technique)].
BACKGROUND
the complications of hip arthroplasty in elderly patients can lead to resection of the prosthesis and cement, also known as the Girdlestone technique. This kind of surgery causes serious dysmetria and alters gait dynamics, thus affecting the patient's functional ability. The aim of this study was to describe the functional outcome, 1 year after surgery, in a group of patients that underwent surgery with this technique.


METHODS
we performed a descriptive study of 48 patients aged more than 65 years old who underwent surgery with the Girdlestone technique from 1999 to 2005. Twenty-one patients completed the study. Functional outcome and pain were measured with the Harris scale, and gait with the Functional Ambulatory Classification (FAC) scale 1 year after surgery.


RESULTS
the mean age was 79.71 years. The most frequent causes of exeresis were periprosthetic infection in 42% and recurrent hip dislocation in 36%. Of the 21 patients assessed 1 year after the intervention, 42.8% were unable to walk and needed a wheelchair and only 28.5% were able to walk with the aid of one or two crutches. Pain was moderate in 23.8% of the patients and was mild in the remainder. The mean score on the Harris scale was 51 out of 100 points.


CONCLUSIONS
failure of hip arthroplasty requiring Girdlestone resection is very damaging to functional outcome in elderly patients.
Manjón-Cabeza Subirat
Joaquina María
JM
Servicio de Rehabilitación, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España. ninamanjon@hotmail.com
Moreno Palacios
Juan Antonio
JA
Mozo Muriel
Angela Patricia
AP
Cátedra Vallés
Elena
E
Sancho Loras
Ricardo
R
Ubeda Tikkanen
Ana
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000379:methods* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male