BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) progressively produces symptoms and disability that may significantly reduce health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is an important treatment for symptomatic OA. An alternative to standard-stem THA for younger patients is short-stem THA. The aim of this study was to investigate potential HRQoL and functional outcome differences between these patient groups to provide additional data that will be clinically useful in the decision making between the types of prosthesis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In an 18-month follow-up longitudinal cohort study, we conducted Harris Hip Score (HHS) evaluations and SF-36 questionnaires in a study group and a control group undergoing short-stem and standard-stem THA preoperatively and during follow-up at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. Effect size was calculated to estimate the size of changes in scores during follow-up between chosen time intervals.

RESULTS: A total of 168 patients were included in the study. The total HHS score was significantly increased postoperatively from 46.9 to 87.0 in the standard-stem group, and from 42.7 to 85.1 in the short-stem group. All SF-36 scores improved after THA in both groups. No HRQoL or functional differences were found in the use of either surgical option in the HHS or SF-36 score results (all p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: As there were no differences in HRQoL in the two groups, we strongly recommend considering short-stem THA, especially in younger patients, due to the benefit of future revision options and a minimally invasive approach.

Keywords: Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip, Hip Prosthesis, Orthopedics, Osteoarthritis, Quality of Life