Low-Friction Arthroplasty

When a new surgical technique or drug has reached a certain point in its development, a strict criterion for its use must be identified. A policy is outlined by which patients are to be selected for treatment by low-friction arthroplasty. Major complications such as thromboembolism or infection are discussed in detail. A special reference is made to tissue biocompatibility of material used in this procedure. It may be expected that at this interim stage of development of total hip replacement "misuse" is more likely from errors of selection of patients than from errors of surgical technique. It is recommended that widespread adoption of this procedure must be limited only to surgeons who are fully familiar with details of technique and management.