Randomized Controlled Trial of Total Hip Arthroplasty

Randomized Controlled Trial of Total Hip Arthroplasty

The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of total hip arthroplasty and conservative treatment to hip pain, to activities of daily life and to the quality of life in patients with hip osteoarthritis.

The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to compare the effect of total hip arthroplasty and conservative treatment (that consists of self-driven exercises that physical therapists teach to the patients) to hip pain, to activities of daily life and to the quality of life in patients with hip osteoarthritis. Also the ill effects and cost effectiveness of total hip arthroplasty and conservative treatment are evaluated. Further more the aim is to investigate if total hip arthroplasty alleviates osteoarthritic pain in 12-month follow-up and if it enhances performance and quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Hip osteoarthritis that is in X-ray pictures ≥2 in Kellgren - Lawrence classification
• Primary osteoarthritis
• Patients symptoms of hip osteoarthritis are so severe, that an experienced orthopedist would suggest total hip arthroplasty as a treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients symptoms are so severe that total hip arthroplasty should be done within the next three months
• ASA > 3 (ASA physical status classification system)
• Normal contraindications to surgery
• Previous surgery to the same hip that has the osteoarthritis (including total hip arthroplasty, surgery for fracture, osteotomy, arthroscopy)
• The referring orthopedist has placed the patient in line for hip arthroplasty
• Secondary osteoarhritis