Long-Term Results of Charnley Low Friction Arthroplasty for Ankylosing Spondylitis

The authors determined the long-term results of 95 Charnley low friction arthroplasties performed on 58 patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The average age at the time of operation was 39.7 years (range, 19 – 70 years) and average duration of follow-up was 19 years (range, 10–30 years). All patients had substantial relief of pain, improvement of function, and range of motion of the joint, and 55 patients (95%) were completely free of pain. Twelve acetabular and nine femoral components were revised for aseptic loosening at an average of 13.9 years (range, 4.2 – 20 years) with 79 original femoral components (83%) and 78 acetabular components (82%) remaining in situ. Six femoral and eight acetabular components were radiologically loose and a total of 20 acetabular components (21%) and 15 femoral implants (16%) had loosened aseptically.