Evaluation of Rectangular Uncemented Total Hip replacement

Senior Mentor/Advisor Frank Gottschalk MD
Professor
Orthopaedic Surgery

Primary Research Mentor Maureen Finnegan MD
Associate Professor
Orthopaedic Surgery

This study involves assessment of patient function and correlation of radiographs, two to ten years postoperatively, in patients who have had Total Hip Replacement for osteoarthritis of the hip. One hundred and thirty five patients have been identified for the study. The student will help administer and correlate the WOMAC evaluation instrument to patients. The WOMAC (Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index) is a validated, patient-administered instrument that assesses the effect of arthroplasty on pain, stiffness, and function in patients with osteoarthritis. The data obtained from the index allows comparisons of the fates of cohorts over time.
Radiographic evaluations will be done by an independent evaluator and the student will correlate clinical results with the radiographic findings.
Associated with the clinical study is a study of the histology of uncemented stems in sheep, at various intervals from 2 to 26 weeks. This study requires microscope examination of the last few prepared specimens and correlation with radiographic findings.