During the period 1969 through 1974, 716 total hip-replacement
arthorplasties were performed. The results of the surgery in 275 cases of
rheumatoid arthritis as regards complications were compared with those in
382 procedures in cases of osteoarthritis. In contrast to the reports of
others,the incidence of deep would infection in the two groups was found to
be equal. Patients undergoing total hip-replacement arthroplasty as a
revision of a previous operation had a substantially increased risk of
infection. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, however, were more subject
to certain other complication (intraoperative fracture, difficulties with
anesthesia, and malposition of prosthetic components), in addition to the
complications that were predictable because of the involvement of multiple
joints and the systemic disease process.