The effect of heterotopic bone formation on prosthetic loosening after total hip replacement.

Seven hundred thirty-two total hip replacements performed from 1970 to 1980 were evaluated for the degree of heterotopic bone formation postoperatively and its effect on long-term mechanical loosening. There were 231 Charnley total hip replacements, of which 152 had no heterotopic bone formation, 58 had Grade 1 formation, and 21 had Grade 2 or 3 formation. Among the 123 Mueller total hip replacements, 98 had no heterotopic bone formation, 19 had Grade 1 formation, and 6 had Grade 2 or 3 formation. For the 378 T-28 total hip replacements, there were 305 with no heterotopic bone formation, 59 with Grade 1 formation, and 14 with Grade 2 or 3 formation. Survival analyses using the definition of failure as loosening, fracture, or revision of the acetabulum or femoral components were constructed. There was no correlation between mechanical loosening, fracture, or revision of the total hip replacement and any degree of heterotopic bone formation.