Does the self-centering mechanism of bipolar hip endoprosthesis really work in vivo?
PURPOSES: To examine radiographically the component motion in a bipolar prosthesis and to determine whether the self-centering mechanism really works in vivo. METHODS: 38 patients with 41 bipolar hip endoprostheses (30 for coxarthrosis and 11 for osteonecrosis of femoral head) were included in this study. Two radiographs of each case were taken to evaluate the self-centering mechanism. The first anteroposterior radiograph of both hip joints was taken at the maximum abduction while the patient standing on the endoprosthetic leg. The second radiograph was taken after the patient returned to neutral position while standing on 2 legs. In the present study, the order in which the radiographs were taken differed from previously reported studies. The radiographs were analysed using the method similar to that of Drinker and Murray. The adductive motion from abduction to a neutral position is within the range of inner bearing oscillation. RESULTS: The outer head alignment changed from 23 degree
